The most anticipated matchup of the semifinals is definitely the Heat against the Bulls. However the second round of the 2013 NBA playoffs begins Sunday, March 5 at 1:00 PM (ET) with the No.1 Oklahoma City Thunder hosting No.5  Memphis Grizzlies.

Here’s the current schedule of the second round playoffs :

EASTERN CONFERENCE

(1) Miami Heat vs. (5) Chicago Bulls

• Game 1 at Miami: Monday, May 6 at 7:00 PM (ET) on TNT
• Game 2 at Miami: Wednesday, May 8 at 7:00 PM (ET) on TNT
• Game 3 at Chicago: Friday, May 10 at 8:00 PM (ET) on ESPN
• Game 4 at Chicago: TBD
• Game 5 at Miami: TBD
• Game 6 at Chicago: TBD
• Game 7 at Miami: TBD

(2) New York Knicks vs. (3) Indiana Pacers

• Game 1 at New York: Sunday, May 5 at 3:30 PM (ET) on ABC
• Game 2 at New York: Tuesday, May 7 at 7:00 PM (ET) on TNT
• Game 3 at Indianapolis: Saturday, May 11 at 8:00 PM (ET) on ABC
• Game 4 at Indianapolis: TBD
• Game 5 at New York: TBD
• Game 6 at Indianapolis: TBD
• Game 7 at New York: TBD

WESTERN CONFERENCE

(1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (5) Memphis Grizzlies

• Game 1 at Oklahoma City: Sunday, May 5 at 1:00 PM (ET) on ABC
• Game 2 at Oklahoma City: Tuesday, May 7 at 9:30 PM (ET) on TNT
• Game 3 at Memphis: Saturday, May 11 at 5:00 PM (ET) on ESPN
• Game 4 at Memphis: TBD
• Game 5 at Oklahoma City: TBD
• Game 6 at Memphis: TBD
• Game 7 at Oklahoma City: TBD

(2) San Antonio Spurs vs. (6) Golden State Warriors

• Game 1 at San Antonio: Monday, May 6 at 9:30 PM (ET) on TNT
• Game 2 at San Antonio: Wednesday, May 8 at 9:30 PM (ET) on TNT
• Game 3 at Golden State: Friday, May 10 at 10:30 PM (ET) on ESPN
• Game 4 at Golden State: TBD
• Game 5 at San Antonio: TBD
• Game 6 at Golden State: TBD
• Game 7 at San Antonio: TBD

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 @ScottAgness

The 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 @ajchawks

Atlanta 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

On the verge of elimination, the Hawks look to stave off the hungry Pacers tonight and force a game 7.  So far, home teams have won every game in the series by a wide margin, so expectations are high for tonight.  Here we break down our game 6 keys to victory for both sides:

Atlanta Hawks Keys to Victory

1) Don’t abandon the big lineup

After winning two games in a row, the Pacers abandoned their ‘big lineup’ game plan in game 5 and gave Kyle Korver 32 minutes off the bench, leaving only 17 and 16 minutes for Anthony Tolliver and Ivan Johnson, respectively.  The result? Paul George ran wild and David West manhandled the Hawks down low.  Never abandon your plan, Hawks, because it might spell an early playoff exit.

2) Give Ivan Johnson more minutes

In the aforementioned 16 minutes Johnson played last game he bullied his way to 9 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal all while harassing Indiana big men down low and drawing 8 free throws for himself.  These free throws show that the Pacers will hack him to prevent easy buckets, and they become a huge key to success if Johnson can get Hibbert/West in foul trouble.  It is unfathomable why the Hawks did not play their bruiser more in game 5, as he provides the toughness and motor they so desperately need against a bigger team like Indiana.

3) Get the crowd involved

Atlanta has a fiercely passionate fan base and an intimidating color, but the Hawks still need to fire up the crowd and not let momentum die.  The fans are a big part of why Atlanta has been so effective at home in recent years, and if the Hawks are going to force a game 7 they must utilize their most important 6^th man- the crowd.

Indiana Pacers Keys to Victory

1) Deny the post

Keep the ball in the hands of Devin Harris and Jeff Teague, it’s working.  The two combined to go 6 of 25 in game 5, a dismal number that suggests their ineffectiveness against the very defensive-minded backcourt of George Hill and Lance Stephenson.  The fact that Teague and Harris combined for 8 assists and 2 rebounds is also pretty staggering, especially considering they played a combined 70 minutes.  Shift defenders to help out with Josh Smith and Horford and the Pacers have a chance to wrap up the series tonight.

2) Keep the bigs out of foul trouble

Indiana did a very nice job of contesting shots without fouling in game 5, as evidenced by none of their starting lineup picking up more than 4 fouls.  This allowed 35+ minutes for both Hibbert and David West, who combined for 42 points and a lot of defensive mayhem for the Hawks.  Hibbert in particular is a vital part of the Pacers advantage over the Hawks, so if they wish to break their current 12-game losing streak playing at Atlanta, he will have to log in heavy minutes.

3) Attack Josh Smith

As mentioned in our last game preview, Josh Smith had become a hindrance on Paul George’s effectiveness due to his lethal combination of size and speed. However, by routinely attacking him in game 5, the Pacers were able to force Smith into picking up 5 fouls and only playing for 25 minutes.  Paul George capitalized on this and put up 21-10-5 on 87% shooting from the floor.  If the Pacers can once again seek out Josh Smith on defense and force him to foul, tonight will be a long night for the Hawks.