Hawks vs Pacers: Game 6 Thread (Starters, Injury Report, Series Notes, etc.)
By David Menze
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MAY 1: Kyle Korver #26 of the Atlanta Hawks battles for rebound position against Ian Mahinmi #28 of the Indiana Pacers in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2013 NBA Playoffs on May 1, 2013 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and condition of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: 2013 NBAE (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Indiana Pacers can closeout the series with a win over the Hawks Friday night. However, they’re going to have to overcome years of bad karma as they’ve lost the last 13 straight games in Atlanta dating back to December 2006.
The Pacers have visited Philips Arena four times this year (counting regular-season and playoffs) and lost each game. The Hawks won by an average of 6 points in two regular-season home contests and 16 points in their two playoff wins.
On the flip side, Indiana has averaged double-digit wins in the last five matchups at home in Bankers Life Fieldhouse against Atlanta, including their three playoff wins. They’re going to need help though to closeout the series in Philips — luckily for them, history is on their side:
"Scott Agness @ScottAgnessThe Pacers have played on the road with a 3-2 lead in a best-of-seven series three times in franchise history, and they won each time."
Too bad we can’t say the same for the Hawks:
"Chris Vivlamore @ajchawksAtlanta Hawks are 5-7 in Game 6s, 3-4 at home. #ATLHawks"
Check out the keys to victory for both teams here.
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Quick Facts
Who?: #6 Atlanta Hawks (2-3) vs #3 Indiana Pacers (3-2)
What?: Eastern Conference Quarterfinals Game 6
Where?: Philips Arena (Atlanta, GA)
When?: Friday, May 3, 2013 – 7:00 PM (ET)
How?: ESPN2
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Projected Starting Lineups
Atlanta Hawks:
PG: Jeff Teague | SG: Devin Harris | SF: Josh Smith | PF: Al Horford | C: Johan Petro
Indiana Pacers:
PG: George Hill | SG: Lance Stephenson | SF: Paul George | PF: David West | C: Roy Hibbert
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Injury/Inactive Players Report
Atlanta Hawks: Zaza Pachulia (Achilles surgery) and Lou Williams (torn right ACL) are out.
Indiana Pacers: Danny Granger (left knee surgery) is out.
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Regular-Season Records/Streaks
Records: Atlanta Hawks (44-38) … Indiana Pacers (49-32)
Streaks: Atlanta Hawks –> OVERALL: Lost 2 / HOME: Lost 1 / ROAD: Lost 1 … Indiana Pacers –> OVERALL: Lost 3 / HOME: Lost 2 / ROAD: Lost 2
Home/Away Records: Hawks are (25-16) at home … Pacers are (19-21) away.
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All-Time Post-Season Notes
Atlanta and Indiana square off in a first round playoff series after splitting four games in the regular season. This will mark the fifth time Atlanta and Indiana have met in the postseason (previously three times in the first round and once in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals). The Hawks have taken two-of-the-three first round series’, winning 3-1 in 1987 and 3-2 in 1996, while falling in 1995 (3-0). The Pacers posted 4-2 quarterfinals series triumph in 1994. The Hawks are 9-12 all-time against the Pacers in the postseason (6-3 at home and 3-9 on the road).
2012-13 Post-Season Game Recaps (Pacers lead series 3-2)
GAME 5 — HAWKS 102, PACERS 91 — PHILIPS ARENA (ATL, GA) — 4/29/13
Indiana took a 3-2 series advantage, keeping the Hawks at arm’s distance most of the second half. Atlanta led 22-21 after one but hit a mid-second quarter skid and fell behind by seven (50-43) at the midway point. The Pacers hit 12-19 field goals in the period. Indiana outscored Atlanta 17-5 to start the second half and push the lead to as many to 20. But Atlanta rallied and got it back down to 12 late in the third. But the Pacers recovered and pulled away in the fourth. Al Horford (nine rebounds) and Josh Smith paced the Hawks with 14 points apiece, while Devin Harris added 13. Kyle Korver put in 10 off the bench. David West had his best game of the series, scoring 24 to lead the Pacers. Paul George added 21 (7-8 FGs) and Roy Hibbert put in 18. George Hill followed with 15, and D.J. Augustin tallied 11. Atlanta shot just .333 from the floor, but committed only six turnovers and knocked down 30-37 FTs (.811). The Hawks were outrebounded, 51-28.
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Common Threads
Dahntay Jones was with the Pacers from 2009-12. Jeff Teague is a native of Indianapolis (Pike High School). Lester Conner was an assistant coach with the Pacers from 2007-10. Shelvin Mack played his college ball at Butler. Gerald Green was teammates with Johan Petro and DeShawn Stevenson last year in New Jersey. Anthony Tolliver and George Hill teamed together in San Antonio in 2008-09. Stevenson and Ian Mahinmi were both with the Mavericks in 2010-11. Tolliver and Jeff Pendergraph both played for Portland in 2009-10. Lou Williams and Sam Young were teammates in Philadelphia for part of last season.
Information was used from the Hawks and Pacers official gamenotes