Hawks vs Pacers: Game 5 Thread (Starters, Injury Report, Series Notes, etc.)
By David Menze
ATLANTA, GA – APRIL 29: Josh Smith #5 and Johan Petro #10 of the Atlanta Hawks defend against Paul George #24 of the Indiana Pacers during Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena on April 29, 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
The Atlanta Hawks went with a bigger lineup at home against the Indiana Pacers in Games 3 & 4 starting 7-foot center Johan Petro and having sharp-shooting specialist Kyle Korver come off the bench.
The move by coach Larry Drew paid off big time as the Hawks were able to win those two home games and even the best-of-seven series with the Pacers at two games apiece. So, it’s no surprise that LD will be deploying the same lineup in Game 5 when they go into hostile territory Wednesday in Indiana.
In a dream scenario, the Hawks win tonight to go up 3-2 and have the chance to clinch the series in Game 6 at home in Philips Arena where the Pacers have lost 13 straight games.
However, that will be a tough task seeing as how in eight games played between ATL and IND this year (counting regular-season and playoffs), the home team has won each meeting.
Check out the keys to victory for both teams here.
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Quick Facts
Who?: #6 Atlanta Hawks (2-2) at #3 Indiana Pacers (2-2)
What?: Eastern Conference Quarterfinals Game 5
Where?: Bankers Life Fieldhouse (Indianapolis, IN)
When?: Wednesday, May 1, 2013 – 8:00 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 (Series tied 2-2)
GAME 4 — HAWKS 102, PACERS 91 — PHILIPS ARENA (ATL, GA) — 4/29/13
The Hawks evened the series 2-2 with a 102-91 home victory over the Pacers. For the second straight game Atlanta used a big first half run to take control. The Hawks trailed 21-14 with under two minutes to go in the first quarter but scored the next eight points for a 22-21 lead, and opened the second on a 14-3 burst to go up 12. A late 12-2 run helped Atlanta to a 57-40 edge at the break. Indiana wouldn’t go away, outscoring the home team 22-12 in the third to cut it to 69-62 heading to the final frame. The Pacers crept within 92-87 with under two minutes to play in the game but the Hawks outscored them 10-4 the rest of the way. Josh Smith tallied a postseason career-high 29 points and added 11 rebounds to lead Atlanta. Kyle Korver scored 19 (playoff career-best 5-8 3FGs) off the bench, Al Horford put in 18 and Jeff Teague 13. All five Indiana starters scored in double-figures, led by Paul George with 21 points and 12 boards. The Hawks held the Pacers to under .400 shooting (.381) for the second straight game and for the first time in the series had an advantage from the free throw line. Atlanta hit 25-38 from the charity stripe while Indiana made 20-25.
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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