NBA Recap: Atlanta Hawks smash the visiting Indiana Pacers 108-93 at Philips Arena
Making eleven 3-pointers, the Atlanta Hawks routed the visiting Pacers 108-93 Saturday night at the Philips Arena. 13,547 basketball fans witnessed the tenth consecutive victory of the home team.
The Hawks had five players hit double figures in scoring. Josh Smith registered 27 points and pulled down 10 rebounds to pace five Hawks players in double figures. Joe Johnson contributed 24 points, 6 assists and 5 rebounds in Atlanta's ninth straight win
over Indiana. Jamal Crawford scored 20 points in the Hawks sixth win in the last seven games. Hawks head Coach Larry Drew said, "Everybody was moving the ball around, and I thought Josh Smith had a phenomenal game. We had productivity from a lot of guys. That's
how we've been playing and that's how we've been winning."
Danny Granger scored a team-high 16 for the Pacers, who lost the twentieth game of the season. Darren Collison netted 13 points for the Pacers, who lost their third game in a row and sixth time in the previous seven matches.
Game Story
The Hawks entered the home court with full energy and led by nine in the first quarter, taking a 29-24 lead into the second. Both teams played consistently in the second quarter, scoring 26 points apiece. It was still a five-point margin, 55-50 heading into
the third quarter.
In the third quarter, none of the teams shot well. Indiana made eight of 24 field goals while Atlanta made nine of 25. However, the Hawks were 4-for-7 on 3-pointers in the period and outscored the Pacers by six at the free-throw line in the third, while
pushing their lead to as high as 20 points. Drew said, "We did a great job of passing the basketball. Everybody was moving the ball around, and I thought Josh Smith had a phenomenal game. We had productivity from a lot of guys. That's how we've been playing,
and that's how we've been winning."
The Pacers came out flat in the fourth quarter, playing sloppy basketball and the Hawks stayed in protection mode down the stretch to seal the victory. Pacers coach Jim O'Brien expressed, "We are lacking an inside attack right now, and it's just stifling
us. [The Hawks] have a great inside attack, they have a great spacing attack, they have terrific post one-on-one players, they're terrific face-up one-on-one players, and that's with athletes that are better than the athletes that we have."
Facts of the Game
The Pacers have lost nine straight games on the road and eight straight in Atlanta.
Pacers’ Paul George scored eight of his 10 points in the fourth quarter. Indiana’s James Posey has made just four of 19 shots over the past five games.
Neither team shot well in the third quarter (Indiana made eight of 24 field goals, Atlanta nine of 25).
Atlanta's Smith and Bibby carried the action in the third quarter, combining for 26 of the Hawks' 29 points.
Atlanta’s Jamal Crawford has averaged 25.8 points, making 40 of 78 shots (51.3 per cent) and 15 of 30 3-pointers (50 per cent).
Jeff Teague’s Injury
Atlanta reserve guard Jeff Teague left the game in the second quarter with a contusion to his right hand and did not return.
Atlanta’s unsung player
Atlanta small forward Marvin Williams missed his fifth straight game with a back contusion.
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