2013 Playoffs: Pacers-Hawks Game 3 viewer’s guide
By CHRIS GOFF
ISL Correspondent
The Pacers are 48 minutes from a 3-0 lead – something no NBA team has ever blown -but they’ll have to fend off a desperate team in front of a charged crowd today in Philips Arena. Even tougher, Indiana’s starting guards George Hill (sore right elbow) and Lance Stephenson (bruised right hip) may still be smarting from painful injuries sustained in Game 2 on Wednesday.
Yet Gerald Green expects no letup, saying, This is the most important time in basketball and we’re confident. Despite constant reminders of futility in Georgia, the Pacers were actually within three points in the fourth quarter in Atlanta both times they played there during the regular season.
Here’s what to look for in this evening’s Game 3:
Josh Smith vs. Paul George: Hawks coach Larry Drew said he may alter the lineup, and hinted changes would be in the direction of getting bigger. That means Smith could spend a lot more time at small forward, where he would guard George. It’s George’s defense on Smith that should concern the Pacers. Smith has the strength to overpower George in the post. Close to the rim, Smith makes everything. If this matchup materializes, George’s primary aim will be to bait Smith into launching jumpers from the perimeter. That won’t be easy because in 2012-13, Smith dramatically cut his number of long 2-point attempts. George is an excellent defender, but Smith has the all-around skills to potentially neutralize George, who has dominated the series.
Point Guarding?: As expected, point guards George Hill and Jeff Teague have essentially played evenly in terms of overall production, though neither is content. Teague, only a so-so defender, knows he must do a better job of staying with Hill at the 3-point line. Hill, a very good defender, believes he can prevent Teague from so frequently attacking the basket, where Teague is a good finisher. Both Indiana and Atlanta rely on their floor generals to play under control and set the pace. So far, Hill and Teague have been scrambling defensively. Perhaps one will finally settle down and gain an edge.
Emotional control: The Hawks have been fighting uphill all series and the Pacers could send a message with a big first quarter. They also might look to attack the paint early and see if they can get a few more whistles to blow. Al Horford said the officials got in the Hawks’ heads Wednesday and that he was done talking to them. Smith said he couldn’t speak his mind because he would get fined. Safe to say, Atlanta is fed up with the referees in this series. The coaching staff has pleaded with players to focus on the game and think positive, as reserve guard Shelvin Mack likes to say. I want them bubbling with confidence, coach Larry Drew said Friday. We’ve played this team really well in our building. We feel good about coming home. The Pacers would like to push doubts and frustration to the surface with a fast start.
Outside shooting: The Pacers found open jump shot after open jump shot in Game 2, and they are shooting 39 percent from behind the arc in the series. Because the Hawks are comparatively small, they’ve gone out of their way to try to take away Indiana’s post game, which is the most common source of the Pacers’ offense. As the series shifts to the South, those looks might dry up, and coach Frank Vogel must prepare his players for the possibility they’ll be guarded in a new way. We recognize the fact we have not done a good job defensively these first two games, Drew said. We’ll try some things different. I don’t want to tip my hand.
