Peachtree Hoops - Dec 8: Hawks 108, Pacers 92The place to read about/discuss the Atlanta Hawks.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/8811/peachtree-fave.jpg2014-12-08T21:21:41-05:00http://www.peachtreehoops.com/rss/stream/71166762014-12-08T21:21:41-05:002014-12-08T21:21:41-05:00Hawks cruise over Pacers, 108-92, win 7th straight
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<figcaption>Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Atlanta Hawks came out of the gate strong and never looked back on the way to a 108-92 road win over the Indiana Pacers that doubled as their seventh consecutive victory. </p> <p class="p1">The Atlanta Hawks entered Monday night's game in Indiana looking for a seventh straight win, and the result was never really in doubt. Atlanta led by 20 points or more on multiple occasions, and that lofty margin was more than enough to hold off the Pacers by a final score of 108-92.</p>
<p class="p1">It was yet another positive start during this seven-game streak for Atlanta, as the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com/">Hawks</a> scored the first 5 points of the night, on the way to a 24-14 advantage in the early going. The first quarter finished with a flurry (after Indiana responded a bit), and the good guys held a 10-point advantage after twelve minutes.</p>
<p class="p1">From there, the Hawks would build the lead to 17 points after back-to-back baskets from <span>Thabo Sefolosha</span> in the second quarter, and despite a 7-0 run from the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.indycornrows.com/">Pacers</a> to claw within 49-39 midway through the second quarter, there was another spurt coming from Atlanta. <span>Al Horford</span>, who had a big night, blocked a shot and <span>Jeff Teague</span> closed the half with a sprinting lay-up, and when the dust settled, the Hawks led by 17 points.</p>
<p class="p1">Atlanta continued their hot shooting from previous games with a 53% clip from the floor in the first half, but once again, ball security was also key. The Hawks committed only four turnovers in the first 24 minutes, and when you combine that with hot shooting (6-for-13 from three-point land), things are generally going well.</p>
<p class="p1">The second half brought much of the same, as the road team built a 21-point lead early in the third quarter. That margin would not grow by leaps and bounds in the period to the point where it doubled as the lead after the third quarter ended, but Indy would never mount a serious charge. The aforementioned Horford (19 points, 7 rebounds through three quarters) and Jeff Teague (18 points at this point)</p>
<p class="p1">To be honest, the fourth quarter wasn't smooth sailing for the full portion of twelve minutes, but it didn't matter much. Indiana's <span>C.J. Miles</span> connected on a four-point play with 8:11 left in the game to bring the Pacers within a second-half low 13 points at 92-79, but that would be as close as the home team would get to a comeback. Atlanta built the lead north of 20 again down the stretch, and utterly cruised to the final, 16-point margin at 108-92.</p>
<p class="p1">Al Horford has not been his normal, dominant self this season, but the All-Star big man was very good on this night. Horford led the team in scoring with 25 points on 9-for-18 shooting, and he also added eight rebounds and three blocks in a quality all-court performance. Horford was flanked by Teague, who finished with 21 points and 7 assists, and <span>DeMarre Carroll</span> was key on both ends, finishing with 12 points, 7 rebounds and 2 steals.</p>
<p class="p1">There was some worry that Atlanta could "run into the wall" during the second leg of a back-to-back on the road, but that never transpired. The Hawks shot 52% from the floor, 43% from three and racked up 27 assists, and while the ball security wasn't ideal (12 second-half turnovers), that would be nitpicking. Indiana certainly did not play well in their own right, making things easier for the Hawks, but this is yet another solid victory.</p>
<p class="p1">The Atlanta Hawks will look to extend this winning streak to eight games on Wednesday night, as they host the bottom-dwelling <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.libertyballers.com/">Philadelphia 76ers</a> at Philips Arena for a 7:30 pm ET tip-off. Stay tuned.</p>
https://www.peachtreehoops.com/2014/12/8/7357461/hawks-vs-pacers-final-score-atlanta-indianaBrad Rowland2014-12-08T21:15:29-05:002014-12-08T21:15:29-05:00Jeff Teague with the scoop shot around Roy Hibbert<iframe class="vine-embed" src="https://vine.co/v/OrDehw1BXO3/embed/simple" width="600" height="600"></iframe>
<div class="source source-img"><p><p>Jeff Teague hits a difficult scoop shot in the win over the Pacers.</p></p></div>
https://www.peachtreehoops.com/2014/12/8/7357493/jeff-teague-with-the-scoop-shot-around-roy-hibbertKris Willis2014-12-08T08:43:02-05:002014-12-08T08:43:02-05:00Hawks look to keep streak alive against the Pacers
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<figcaption>Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Atlanta Hawks look to keep their winning streak intact as they hit the road to take on the Indiana Pacers. </p> <p>The <a href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Atlanta Hawks</a> haven't won seven games in a row since the 2009 season. They will try to equal that mark Monday night when they hit the road to face the <a href="https://www.indycornrows.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Indiana Pacers</a>.</p>
<p>Atlanta has won six straight and eight of their last nine to climb to the top of the Southeast Division standings. The schedule hasn't been particularly tough during the first part of the season, but they are winning the games they are supposed to and for the most part looking good doing so. The Hawks are among the league leaders in offensive rating and their defensive rating is improving during the winning streak.</p>
<p>Atlanta set the tone early defensively on Sunday allowing the <a href="https://www.denverstiffs.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Nuggets</a> just 36 first half points and holding them to 32 percent shooting. The Hawks took the foot of the gas in the third quarter somewhat but were still able to win by a comfortable margin.</p>
<p>As expected, its been a tough season for the Pacers who have battled injury from the outset. Indiana comes into the game with a 7-13 record and having lost four straight games. Despite their record, Indiana is still a good defensive team and is capable of clamping down on opponents. The Pacers are eighth in the league in opponent scoring allowing just 96.3 points per game.</p>
<p>The Hawks defeated the Pacers 102-92 in their home opener behind a 25 point performance from Jeff Teague. Chris Copeland led Indiana with 21 points off the bench. Neither David West, <span>George Hill</span> or <span>C.J. Watson</span> played in the first meeting due to injury. While Hill remains out, West and Watson have returned.</p>
<p>Monday's game will be the fifth in seven days for Atlanta and the second night of a back-to-back. Getting off to a good focused start will again be key as the Hawks will likely be tested on the boards and in the paint.</p>
<h3>Game Info</h3>
<p><b>Game Date/Time:</b> Monday, December 8, 7 p.m. ET</p>
<p><b>Location:</b> Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana</p>
<p><b>TV:</b> No Local Broadcast</p>
<p><b>Radio:</b> V103 Atlanta</p>
https://www.peachtreehoops.com/2014/12/8/7350121/hawks-vs-pacers-preview-time-tv-radioKris Willis