Game Recap: Hawks cruise past Pacers with third-quarter barrage
No chance at a comeback.
It simply was not allowed.
The Hawks used a 30-5 third-quarter run, including a 20-0 start, in an impressive 104-75 rout of the Pacers Sunday at Philips Arena. The decisive run started after the Pacers tripped a 16-point deficit to just eight points. However, they would go 5:11 without a field goal as the Hawks iced an important game.
The game was so out of hand that all five Hawks starters watched the final quarter from the bench.
The Hawks (38-29) have won two straight, five of the past six and are a season-best nine games over .500. They also evened the season series with the Pacers, 2-2, by winning in Atlanta for the 16th time in the past 17 regular-season games dating back to the 2006-07 season.
With 15 games remaining in the regular season, the Hawks remain sixth in the tight Eastern Conference. They are just .002 percentage points behind the fifth-place Hornets, ½-game behind the fourth-place Heat and one game behind the third-place Celtics.
“They beat us the first two times,” Al Horford said. “It was important for us to come out with that type of energy. We are a much better team than we were even a month ago. I’m satisfied with what we were able to do tonight.”
Paul Millsap and Al Horford led the Hawks with 18 points apiece.
The Pacers (35-31) had a three-game win streak snapped as they stand seventh in the East. Myles Turner led the Pacers with a game-high 19 points, eight in the fourth quarter as most of the Hawks rested. Monta Ellis was limited to 10 points and Paul George finished with just seven points.
The Hawks next travel to play the Pistons Wednesday.
About the Author
Chris Vivlamore is the sports editor at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He has served as reporter and editor at the AJC since 2003.
