"Did you expect anything other than a close game?

It wouldn't be an Indiana Pacers game if it wasn't decided by a possession or two.

The Pacers were in their customary position Saturday against the Sacramento Kings.

As they did the night before, the Pacers buckled down on the defensive end and got big baskets late to survive Kevin Martin's scoring spree to beat the Kings 122-117 at Conseco Fieldhouse.

"We're giving people their money's worth," Pacers point guard Jarrett Jack joked.

It isn't much, but the Pacers have won two in a row for just the third time this season. They start their longest trip of the season Monday at Denver.

The Pacers' past eight games have been decided by a total of 20 points at the end of the regulation.

"We're always in a close game," Pacers forward Danny Granger said. "It's probably fun to watch for whoever is watching it. I'm glad we've been on the winning end for these last two games."

Sacramento, which has lost eight of its past nine games, had two chances on the same possession to tie the score with 22.8 seconds left.

After Granger made two free throws to make it 120-117, Martin missed a 3-pointer from the left wing. Forward John Salmons grabbed the rebound and passed the ball to Martin in the corner. His 3-pointer rolled around the rim before Granger grabbed the rebound and made two free throws to put away the game.

"We got a win against a team that needed a win as badly as we did," Pacers coach Jim O'Brien said. "Sometimes when you don't play great and you still get a 'W' it's important for your ball team."

Granger and point guard T.J. Ford followed Jack's performance from the night before by making key plays down the stretch.

Down 113-107 with a little more than four minutes remaining, Ford started the Pacers' comeback by converting a three-point play to get within three. Granger followed with a 19-foot jumper to make it 113-112. Ford, battling a sore back and abdominal injury, put his team up for good three possessions later when he scored to make it 118-117 with a minute to go.

Granger, who had 13 points in the fourth quarter, led six Pacers in double figures with 35 points. Ford came off the bench to score 16 points and hand out seven assists in 29 minutes."