The Atlanta Hawks look to rebound on Thursday night in Indy after another heartbreaking loss, this time to the Clippers, as Paul Millsap’s shot to tie the game in the final seconds rimmed out.
It was a short stay in Hotlanta for your Hawks. The team returned from a four game road trip for last night’s game against the Clippers, only to head back out on the road for two more games in Indy (tonight) and Miami (Sunday). And the homecoming wasn’t what most fans were expecting. Sans Blake Griffin, the Clippers game in and stole one from us as Paul Millsap’s layup attempt at the buzzer didn’t fall.
On the bright side, the Hawks outrebounded the Clippers 49-46 on the night but were just one bucket short of a victory. Paul Millsap had 14 points and 12 rebounds, notching another double double to give him more than he had all of last season, but he missed two easy layups in the final minute which helped the Clippers get out of Philips with a win. One bright spot for the Hawks was the play of Jeff Teague in the second half. He was unguard-able for a stretch and on a day when there was trade speculation swirling around him, I’m sure it felt nice to finally play the type of basketball we have been waiting for all season.
The Pacers last played on Tuesday in a 91-89 home loss to, oddly enough, the Clippers. Pacers’ forward Paul George led all scorers with 31 points while George Hill chipped in with 15 of his own. Rookie forward Myles Turner had one of his best games of the season with 16 points and 6 boards in only 18 minutes. The Pacers have lost three straight and 7 of 10 overall so they are ripe for the picking in terms of the Hawks coming into town and getting a much needed W.
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This will be the second matchup of the season between these two squads with the Hawks winning at home 93-87 late in December. Monta Ellis led all scorers in that one with 26 points but it was the defense of Kent Bazemore and Thabo Sefolosha that really made the difference as they held Paul George to 9 points on 3-14 shooting. The Hawks will need a similar performance from the two in tonight’s game. More on that below.
Key to the Game:
Contain Paul George: Sounds simple and easy enough right? As mentioned above, the Hawks held George in check back in December and the focus of Coach Bud’s defense will be squarely on him tonight. Only two teams have held the All-Star starter in single digits this season. The Spurs and the Hawks. Coincidence? I think not. The Pacers have struggled to find a consistent secondary option behind George this season, so they need him to be effective on a nightly basis. Monta Ellis should be that guy but he’s been less than stellar this season, averaging the fewest points of his career (13.7) outside of his rookie season. He’s been asked to play more PG that he had over the last few seasons in Dallas so that could be a factor, or it could be that Paul George is the focal point of the offense. Whatever the reason, Ellis is struggling so that means more emphasis should be put on slowing George down.
Projected Starting Lineups:
Atlanta Hawks
- PG: Jeff Teague
- SG: Kyle Korver
- SF: Kent Bazemore
- PF: Paul Millsap
- C: Al Horford
Notes: No injuries to report
Indiana Pacers
- PG: George Hill
- SG: Monta Ellis
- SF: Paul George
- PF: Lavoy Allen
- C: Ian Mahinmi
Notes: Rodney Stuckey (ankle) is out until early February
Other News & Notes:
- Kyle Korver was 4-4 from distance last night and has made 10 of his last 15 overall
- DeAndre Jordan had his second consecutive 19 rebound game
- The Hawk bench was held to 12 points against the Clippers
- The Pacers will be in Atlanta next Friday for a 7 PM tip off at Philips
- Tonight’s game will be broadcast on Fox Sports Southeast (TV) and 92.9 The Game (Radio)
Next: Hawks vs. Clippers Post Game Analysis
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