Hawks vs Pacers: Game 4 Thread (Updated)
By David Menze
ATLANTA, GA – APRIL 27: Frank Vogel of the Indiana Pacers stands between David West #21 and Devin Harris #34 of the Atlanta Hawks during Game Three of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena on April 27, 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
UPDATE — Johan Petro is in Philips Arena and will start at center for the Hawks.
For more, click here.
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The Hawks host the Pacers for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals in Atlanta Monday night as they look to tie the best-of-seven series at two games apiece. Indiana currently leads the series 2-1. However, they’ve lost the last 12 straight games in Philips Arena (combined regular season and playoffs) dating back to December 2006.
The 12th win came Saturday night in Game 3 as the Hawks pulverized the Pacers 90-69.
Al Horford led Atlanta to victory as he posted career-highs with both 26 points and 16 rebounds. Josh Smith struggled on the offensive end (14 points on 13 shot attempts), but was great on defensive locking down Paul George, the recipient of the NBA’s Most Improved Player award.
George avergaed 25 points in Games 1 & 2 against smaller defenders but was limited to just 16 points on 4-of-11 shooting when matched up against the 6’9” J-Smoove.
The Hawks went with a bigger lineup in the game with Smith as small forward, Horford at power forward and Johan Petro getting his first playoff start at center.
Atlanta coach Larry Drew would love to go with the same lineup in Game 4 but that may not be possible as Petro’s status remains unclear. He missed practice Sunday to be with his wife at their home in Miami as she gives birth. He has not made it back to Atlanta yet and is a game-time decision.
If Petro doesn’t return in time for the game, the Hawks could start Ivan Johnson at power forward that way Smith is free to go against George again. Another option would be to start Anthony Tolliver and let him try and guard George along with Smith and Al Horford in the frontcourt, while Johnson stays in his usual role as energizer off the bench.
Check back soon for an update.
To check out both teams keys to victory, click here.
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Quick Facts
Who?: #6 Atlanta Hawks (1-2) vs #3 Indiana Pacers (2-1)
What?: Eastern Conference Quarterfinals Game 4
Where?: Philips Arena (Atlanta, GA)
When?: Monday, April 29, 2013 – 7:30 PM (ET)
How?: NBA TV
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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 2-1)
GAME 3 — HAWKS 90, PACERS 69 — PHILIPS ARENA (ATL, GA) — 4/27/13
Indiana grabbed an 8-1 lead to start the game but it was all Atlanta after that, as the Hawks posted a 90-69 win at Philips Arena. Atlanta went on a 26-6 run to close the opening stanza and then scored first six points of the second. The Hawks led 54-30 at halftime and eventually pushed the lead to as-many-as-28 in the second half, and the Pacers never got closer than 18 the rest of the night. Atlanta held Indiana to .272 FG% (22-81), the lowest opponent FG% and fewest FGM allowed in Hawks’ postseason history. The Pacers’ 69 points is tied for the third fewest by an opponent in Hawks playoff history and their 30 first half points was also an all-time opponent low. Al Horford had a monster night for the home team, setting playoff career-highs in points (26), rebounds (16) and FGM (12-20). Josh Smith added 14 points and Jeff Teague 13. David West led the Pacers with 18 points. The Hawks outscored the Pacers 50-30 in the paint, 24-13 in points off turnovers, 21-15 in second chance points and 14-10 in fast break points.
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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