Soaring Down South
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Atlanta Hawks: Must Watch Games In 2016-17

By Colby Giacubeno

Apr 28, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) looks for Atlanta Hawks guard Dennis Schroder (not pictured) during the second half in game six of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) looks for Atlanta Hawks guard Dennis Schroder (not pictured) during the second half in game six of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 5, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Jeff Teague (0) drives to the basket against the Indiana Pacers in the second quarter at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 5, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Jeff Teague (0) drives to the basket against the Indiana Pacers in the second quarter at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

Atlanta Hawks/Indiana Pacers

Number of meetings: 3

Dates: November 23 (away), March 5 (home), April 12 (away)

The Hawks and Pacers have always been an evenly-matched contest. Last season, the teams tied in the regular season, each winning two games a piece.

Next season though, the Pacers will have a familiar face in point guard Jeff Teague facilitating the offense. Teague was traded to Indiana this summer in a three-deal trade. Atlanta received the No. 12 overall pick from Utah and Utah received point guard George Hill from Indiana.

March 5 is another date for Hawks fans to mark on their calendars as it will be the first and only time in the regular season that Teague will return to Atlanta. It wasn’t the ugliest departure by any means, but Teague was frustrated with the way head coach Mike Budenholzer consistently played Dennis Schroder in big situations.

Budenholzer favored Schroder for the future, so he wanted the 22-year-old to garner as much experience as he could. Teague on the other hand, still believe he has much to offer to a team. So in all actuality, the deal was perfect for both parties.

Even still, it’s never easy watching someone especially Teague, who was a cornerstone player in the Hawks successful playoff streak, suiting up for someone else in the same conference. These meeting are often times bittersweet, but if the Hawks can pull out the win, all will be well.

Their April 12th match-up will be the Hawks last game of the regular season and could very well be a preview for a future playoff series.

Next: Slowing the Superteam

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