The Atlanta Hawks hosted the Indiana Pacers in an early evening matchup at State Farm Arena Sunday. While injuries have been an issue on both sides, they did not carry too much weight in this outing. John Collins was a game-time decision but was back in the starting lineup for the Hawks after missing the previous 9 games. Miles Turner was a game-time decision for Indiana but would also play. Forward Doug McDermott missed his third straight for the Pacers with a sprained left ankle.
Early control
Although both teams traded buckets for the first few minutes of the game, the Hawks went on a large run to go up by as much as 20 points. Indiana’s defense seemed nonexistent during this stretch, as the Hawks dominated the paint. However, the Pacers were able to cut the deficit to 12 by the end of the first.
Midway through the second period, Indy cut the Hawks’ lead to just 3 points at 46-43. The Pacers got out in transition and attacked the rim more aggressively as they fought back. Yet, a no-look pass from Bogdan Bogdanovic to Kevin Huerter for a corner three gave the Hawks an 11-point cushion. They took a 66-57 lead into halftime.
While Indiana continued fighting to stay within reach, a Bogdanovic triple in the middle of the third extended the Hawks’ lead back to 10. The two teams exchanged countless blows before a T.J. McConnell transition layup pulled Indiana within 1 point. However, Huerter answered with a three that put the Hawks up 4 heading into the fourth.
No quit in Indiana
To start the final frame, the Hawks had a game on their hands with just a 94-90 lead. A back-and-forth theme made up the first half of the quarter, with Indiana keeping it close. At the 5:09 mark, Domantas Sabonis hit a baby hook to finally tie things up at 105 apiece. Down the stretch, however, Trae Young and Clint Capela shouldered the Hawks with critical plays that put the game away.
Atlanta (31-26) went on to take a hard-fought win over Indiana (26-30) by a score of 129-117.
“We just responded,” said Nate McMillan, former Pacers coach and current Atlanta interim head coach. “We had the lead. Indiana is going to keep coming at you. They put a small lineup in to change the tempo of the game. They were able to do that, and we got a little rattled, but we got our composure back and were able to execute down the stretch.”
Young led the way for the Hawks with 34 points and 11 assists. Capela finished with a monstrous game of his own, tallying 25 points to go with 24 boards. Bogdanovic and Huerter each chipped in 23 points for the Hawks, who have won 8 of their last 10 games.
Five players scored in double figures for Indiana, who had won 5 of their last 7 contests on the road. Malcolm Brogdon put up 29 points and 8 assists, while Sabonis and McConnell each added 18 points. Edmond Sumner and Caris LeVert combined for 25 points.
Up Next
The Hawks will next face the Orlando Magic Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. EST.
