Hawks at Pacers
THE STORY: The Indiana Pacers built their record up against a
series of poor teams over the last few weeks. Now they are finding out
what top competition looks like. The Pacers faced their first winning
team since Feb. 14 in a visit to Chicago on Monday and were promptly
smoked 92-72. The Pacers began a string of nine straight games against
teams in playoff contention, which continues Tuesday with the Atlanta
Hawks. The resurgent Hawks have won three of four and are coming off an
impressive victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, SportSouth (Hawks), FS Indiana (Pacers)
ABOUT THE HAWKS (22-15): Atlanta is 1½ games behind the Pacers for
the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference and is coming on strong. After
enduring an offensive slump that saw them average 80.6 points in the
previous five games, the Hawks have put up 98.0 in the last two while
playing their customary solid defense. Josh Smith, who has been the
subject of trade rumors, has recorded a double-double in four straight
games and went for 30 and 12 on Saturday. Smith put up 28 and 12 in a
97-87 home victory over the Pacers on Feb. 8 but was held to 16 and
seven in a 96-84 loss at Indiana on Jan. 11.
ABOUT THE PACERS (23-13):
After beating Charlotte (twice), New Orleans (twice), Golden State and
New Jersey during a six-game winning streak, Indiana fell straight back
down to earth against Chicago. The Pacers shot 34 percent in the contest
and totaled 29 points in the second half. Danny Granger was held to 11
points while Roy Hibbert shot 1 for 6. Those two were significantly
better in the first meeting with Atlanta, when Granger led with 24
points and Hibbert recorded a double-double with 12 points and 11
rebounds.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. The home team has won each of the last five meetings.
2. Smith has averaged 17.1 points and 7.6 rebounds in 22 career games against the Pacers.
3. Indiana is 11-4 at home.