2013 NBA Playoffs – Eastern Conference Quarterfinals Game #2
#6 Atlanta Hawks at #3 Indiana Hoosiers
Pacers lead Best of Seven Series 1-0
Wednesday, April 24, 2013, 7:30 pm Eastern, TV: NBA TV
Bankers Life Fieldhouse – Indianapolis, Indiana
Opening Line: Indiana -7
Current Line: Indiana -7
Opening Total: 188
Current Total: 187
Opening Money Line: Pacers -350 / Hawks +290
Current Money Line: Pacers -350 / Hawks +290
The Indiana Pacers started off their Eastern Conference quarterfinal series against the Atlanta Hawks on the right foot with a 107-90 win. Pacers’ forward Paul George had a triple double in the win with 23 points, 12 assists, and 11 rebounds. George was named the NBA’s most improved player earlier this week. Indiana got off to a slow start as the Hawks opened the game on a 6-0 run. The Pacers were down at least 20 points in their last 6 regular season games, and Indiana went 1-5 in those games.
Against the Hawks though, the Pacers went on a 9-0 run to go up 19-13. The Pacers would never trail again. Indiana would take a 34-26 lead at the end of the first. The Hawks would cut the lead down to four late in the second quarter, but would still trail by 8 at the half. The Pacers would expand their lead to 15 in the second half. The Hawks pulled to within 8 points with 7:23 left in the fourth, but would get no closer. The Pacers would hold on for the win to take game #1.
The Pacers lead the Hawks 3-2 this season. The home team has won every game in the series this season. All five games have been competitive in the fourth quarter.
Atlanta is coached by Larry Drew. The Hawks are 37-44-2 ATS and the total is 43-39-1. Atlanta is outscoring teams 98-97.5 this season. The Hawks are shooting 46.4% from the field and 37.1% from 3 point range. Atlanta is #7 in both categories. The Hawks are #26 in free throw shooting at 71.5% from the line. Atlanta averages 40.9 rebounds per game and gives up 43.7 per game. The Hawks are 23rd or worse in both categories. Atlanta opponents are shooting 45% from the field and 37.9% from 3 point range. The Hawks are #28 in 3 point defense. Atlanta averages 24.5 assists, 8.1 steals, 4.5 blocks, and 14.3 turnovers per game.
Small forward Josh Smith averages 17.5 points, 8.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.8 blocks per game. He is probable with an ankle injury. Center Al Horford averages 17.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game. He is also probable with a shoulder injury. Point guard Jeff Teague averages 14.6 points, 2.3 rebounds, 7.2 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. Guard Louis Williams is out for the season with a knee injury after averaging 14 points in 39 games. Guard Kyle Korver averages 10.9 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists per game. Point guard Devin Harris averages 9.9 points, 3 assists, 2 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game. Ivan Johnson, John Jenkins, DeShawn Stevenson, and Anthony Tolliver all get significant minutes as well. Center Zaza Pachulia is out for the season with a torn Achilles’ tendon.
Indiana is coached by Frank Vogel. The Pacers are 43-39 ATS and the total is 39-42-1 this season. The Pacers are outscoring teams 95-91 this season. Indiana is second in the league in points allowed and #23 in scoring. The Pacers are shooting 43.6% from the field and 34.7% from 3 point range. Indiana is 22nd or worse in both categories. The Pacers make 74.6% of their free throws. Indiana leads the league in rebounding at 45.8 per game, and are #8 in rebounds allowed at 40.9. Indiana opponents are shooting 42% from the field and 32.7% from 3 point range. The Pacers lead the league in both categories. Indiana averages 20.3 assists, 7.2 steals, 6.3 blocks, and 14.5 turnovers.
Small forward Paul George averages 17.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.8 steals per game. Power forward David West averages 17.1 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block a game. West is probable with an ankle injury. Point guard George Hill averages 14.2 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 1.1 steals a game. Center Roy Hibbert averages 11.9 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game. Shooting guard Lance Stephenson averages 8.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1 steal a game. Tyler Hansbrough, Gerald Green, Ian Mahinmi, and D.J. Augustin make up the rest of the rotation. Indiana has had success despite All-Star forward Danny Granger missing all but 5 games with a knee injury.
Atlanta is 6-2 ATS in Wednesday games, 12-5 after a straight up loss of 10 points or more, 1-4 after allowing 100 points or more, 1-4 against teams with winning records, 1-7 after failing to cover, 1-9 on two days rest, 0-4 overall, and against Eastern Conference teams. The last 4 games in this series have gone over the total, and the over is also 4-0 in Indianapolis recently.
Indiana is 4-1 ATS in conference quarterfinals games, 6-2 in Wednesday games, 3-7 after a cover, 3-9 against teams with winning records, 2-6 after a straight up win of 10 points or more, 1-5 at home, 1-6 overall, and 1-7 against Eastern Conference teams. The favorite is 20-6 ATS in this series and the home team is 8-3.
The trend in this series favors the home team. Both West and Smith are battling ankle injuries so keep an eye on that for both teams. After game #1 the Hawks were complaining about the free throw discrepancy as the Pacers had 34 free throw attempts and the Hawks had only 14. We will see if the refs listen. I still like Indiana at home, but i think this game is a lot closer than game #1.
