Hawks introduce new-look Pac-Man logo

The Pac-Man logo is back. Call it Version 2.0.

The Hawks unveiled a new secondary logo Thursday in advance of Game 6 of their Eastern Conference playoff series with the Pacers. The team announced the release in the morning and gave away red T-shirts that featured an updated version of the franchise’s iconic image for everyone in attendance.

The Pac-Man logo, used from 1972-95 and associated with some of the best seasons in franchise history, was redesigned. It features a more pronounced hook of the beak and a new eye. The Hawks have had two secondary logos since the Pac-Man version, including the current one that has been used since 2007.

A very similar version of the new secondary logo leaked earlier this season in the release of a video game.

Fans can order merchandise with the new logo at the Hawks’ team website.

Better matchup: The Hawks held a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series because they generally have made the Pacers play an up-tempo style. The Pacers prefer a slow style to make the best of their height advantage.

Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer raised the issue with his players before the start of the series.

“I thought Bud had a great line going in (to the playoffs),” Kyle Korver said. “‘No matter what the matchups are you, have to make it a good matchup.’ You have to make it a good matchup — just because one team is inside and one team is outside. What if this series was all inside? Then it is a bad matchup for us. We are not the same team. There is a huge difference in the foundation that we are built on. One is more inside, one is a little more outside.

“You have to make it a good matchup. We’ve had moments of doing that well, and we’ve had moments of not doing that well.”

Conference semifinals tickets: If the Hawks advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals — with a win Thursday or Saturday, if necessary — they will face the Wizards in a series that begins Monday in Washington, D.C. The Hawks would host Games 3 and 4 at Philips Arena. Tickets for those games will be on sale Friday morning if the Hawks win Thursday night.

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Credit: TNS