Game Preview: Atlanta Hawks vs. Indiana Pacers
Pacers and Hawks will face each other in the basketball court at Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis.
Preview
Hawks opened the season with a fantastic record of six consecutive wins (6 – 0), but unfortunately for them, they later dropped four straight (7 – 4). In the previous match, they made a fabulous comeback by defeating Minnesota Timberwolves by 111-105. Up
15 with 8:14 remaining, Atlanta led by just four with 11 seconds left. Al Horford scored 28 points and Josh Smith added 23 as the Hawks snapped a four-game losing streak by a win over Minnesota.
Unlike the Hawks, the Indiana Pacers would like to repeat their most recent performance, where Pacers defeated Cleveland Cavaliers by 99 – 85 at Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland. Danny Granger gave his best Larry Bird impersonation, making every meaningful
3-pointer and scoring 34 points. Granger's performance highlighted the Indiana Pacers' road win over the Cavaliers. Granger was 13-for-21 shooting, including 5-for-8 on 3-pointers. Mike Dunleavy added 20 points for the Pacers, and Roy Hibbert scored 16 with
13 rebounds.
Quotable
“We had ample opportunities to create separation but we made some bad plays and made some bad decisions,” “It’s not a time to panic. It’s an area I will continue to pay attention to every single day.” Hawks coach Larry Drew said.
Mike Dunleavy, Jr. of Pacers said, “When we are able to move the ball and we share, we’re hard to guard,” “Hopefully we can keep that up.”
Area to watch
The main point of concern for Hawks is their problem of playing poorly with the lead. They had been shooting 35.0 percent when ahead by 15 or more. On the other hand, their opponents were hitting nearly 49 percent when facing that deficit.
It remains to be seen how the Hawks tackle this issue.
The previous game of Pacers showed that they took a slow start and accelerated their pace later on in the game. This delay might cost them if the opponent takes a huge initial lead. According to critics, it may be wiser for them to have a hold on the game
within the right time.
Players to watch
Hawks have been equipped with a combination of brilliant players. Hawks swingman Joe Johnson, averaging 26.5 points in his last four games at Conseco Fieldhouse, has been scoring 22.0 per game in the last five contests after finishing with 15 or fewer in
his previous 3 games.
Coming off his sixth double of the season with 28 points and 10 rebounds, Atlanta's Al Horford looks for another big game against Pacers center Roy Hibbert.
Pacers look ahead with an expectation of same great performance by Granger, Dunleavy, and Hibbert, like the way they performed in the previous match.
Clash of the match – Al Horford vs. Roy Hibbert
Last season, Al Hoford made Roy Hibbert look like a draft bust, despite giving up a solid 4-5 inches and probably 40 pounds to the 7′2″ 280 lb (pound) center. It remains to be seen if the Hawks start Horford at center against Hibbert this time and if it
will have the same results. Hibbert still gives up the quickness and ability to run the floor to Horford, but his improved game could be a load for Al on the other end of the floor. It also remains to be seen if Hibbert forces the Hawks to adjust the matchups.
Here is the Game’s Deal
It has been predicted that the Hawks would perform better than the Pacers. However, the fact that the Pacers are on the cusp of proving to be a team cannot be ignored as they are more organized and successful now. If the Hawks lose focus in this game, they
could very well lose this game. There is no margin for careless errors this time around for them.
Tags: