The Hawks didn’t just steal back home-court advantage. It was more like grand theft larceny.
The Hawks led by as many as 30 points and then held on for a 107-97 victory over the Pacers in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference first-round playoff series Monday night at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
The Hawks, who led the best-of-seven series 3-2, are on the verge of doing something only five other teams in NBA history have accomplished. The eight seeds are one win away from knocking off a one seed. The Hawks can close out the Pacers when the series returns to Atlanta for Game 6 Thursday.
The Pacers rallied in the fourth quarter and got as close as nine points, 96-87. Kyle Korver drained a 3-pointer with 3:41 left to give the Hawks back a double-digit advantage.
Shelvin Mack led the Hawks with 20 points. Paul Millsap (18 points), DeMarre Carroll (15), Mike Scott (17), Korver (16) and Jeff Teague (12) all added double-figures.
Paul George led the Pacers with a game-high 26 points.
The Hawks – led by Scott and Mack – had an epic second quarter to build the substantial lead.
Consider:
* They outscored the Pacers 41-19 in the period.
* Scott (17 points) and Mack (13) easily had more points than the Pacers.
* The Hawks started the second quarter making 9 of 10 shots, the first four were Scott 3-pointers. They finished the period 13 of 16 (81.3 percent).
* In all, the Hawks were 9 of 11 from 3-point range.
* The Hawks led by as many as 25 points and 61-40 at the half.
* Between the first and second quarters, the Hawks went on a 27-4 run.
* The Pacers didn’t score their third field goal of the period until 5:43 remained.
* The Hawks held advantages in rebounds (12-5) and assists (10-4).
* Teague did not play a second-quarter minute. No need really.
* The home crowd was booing, loudly, midway through the period.
The Hawks pushed their lead to as many as 30 points, 80-50, on a Carroll 3-pointer with 7:08 left in the third quarter. The Pacers used a late run to pull within 20 points, 87-67, headed into the fourth quarter.
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