First Thoughts: Indiana 81, Atlanta 73
By CHRIS GOFF
ISL Correspondent
Let’s take a quick look at how the Indiana Pacers knocked out the Atlanta Hawks with an 81-73 win on Friday night at Philips Arena in Game 6 of their Eastern Conference first-round series. The Pacers won the series 4-2.
WHY IT HAPPENED: The Pacers won in Atlanta for the first time since December 2006 by turning the game into a defensive slug-fest For the first time in the series, they got off to the type of start they wanted at Philips Arena, holding the Hawks to 9-for-38 shooting and 29 points in a first half that ended with Indiana ahead by eight. The Pacers then came out of the locker room and finally broke loose offensively, posting 28 points to lead 65-50 entering the fourth quarter. They withstood a furious Atlanta rally in the fourth quarter, with a 19-point lead reduced to as little as three with 2:41 remaining on an Al Horford dunk. But David West responded on the next possession with a layup after he picked up a loose ball underneath the rim. After Horford’s dunk, the Pacers locked up the Hawks on their last six trips, with West and Paul George even blocking 3-point attempts.
WHAT WE LEARNED: In their most important game of the season to date, the Pacers’ defense came out and set the tone and did not let the Hawks feel comfortable or get in any type of rhythm. The Hawks finished at a miserable 33 percent from the field and were led by Horford’s 15 points and seven rebounds. George didn’t have it, scoring just four points on 2-for-10 shooting in his worst night of the series, but Roy Hibbert stepped up with 17 points and 11 rebounds. George Hill (21 points, seven rebounds) made several big plays down the stretch and was terrific in the second half. West finished with 21 points, eight rebounds and four blocks to nudge the Pacers into the conference semifinals for the second consecutive season. Indiana needed to gain some confidence on the road and this game, while not the prettiest, might put them more at ease if they have to open the second round at Madison Square Garden.
KEY NUMBER: The Pacers outscored Atlanta 42-30 in the paint.
TURNING POINT: Over the final 10 1/2 minutes of the second quarter, Indiana held the Hawks to seven points on 0-of-13 shooting and forced four turnovers. That long drought took the crowd out of the game and sent the Hawks a message that the Pacers would not be denied on this night.
NEXT: The Pacers take on either New York or Boston in the second round. They would not have homecourt advantage against the Knicks but would against the Celtics.
