Halfway through Game 5, the Atlanta Hawks find themselves trailing the Indiana Pacers 50-43. The Hawks struggled offensively and on the backboard in the first half and are lucky to find themselves still within striking distance. Atlanta made just 37 percent of their field goal attempts in the first half compared to the Pacers who made 54 percent. Indiana also has a 26-13 rebounding advantage although the Hawks were able to close the gap somewhat late in the half.
Josh Smith leads the Hawks with 11 points but sat out the final six minutes of the half after he picked up his second foul. Devin Harris has eight points and Ivan Johnson six for Atlanta. Al Horford and Jeff Teague combined to score nine points on 4-15 shooting.
The Pacers have made much more of an effort to get the ball inside and the duo of David West and Roy Hibbert have rewarded them. West scored a game-high 16 points in the first half on 8-10 shooting. Hibbert finished with 14 and also has six rebounds. Paul George has nine points and is 4-4 from the field. Atlanta was able to stay in the game thanks to 10 first half turnovers by the Pacers.