Following each Hawks playoff game, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution will examine a strategic element that affected the outcome of the contest.
The strategy: The Pacers played All-Star Paul George 44 of 48 minutes in the 91-88 Game 4 victory.
The impact: Hawks point guard Jeff Teague has been a problem for the Pacers. George has drawn the defensive assignment of guarding him in the past three games. With the Pacers trailing in the series and facing the possibility of falling behind 3-1 in the best-of-seven matchup, there were few options than to ride George as long as he was standing – offensively and defensively.
George played all but 4:21 seconds, sitting only that stretch to start the second quarter. He played all 24 second-half minutes.
He nagged Teague for much of that playing time. The Hawks point guard played 35:10 in the game and George was never on the bench when Teague was on the floor. Teague finished with 14 points (5 of 15), seven assists and six rebounds.
George finished with a team-high 24 points (10 of 18), 10 rebounds, five assists and two blocks. He was 4 of 7 from 3-point range, including a long-range basket with 2:11 remaining that gave the Pacers the lead for good.
In both Pacers victories, Teague scored 14 points. In the two Hawks victories, Teague scored 28 and 22 points.
George has had a double-double in points and rebounds in all four games in the series.
What they said: "I'm tired, but at this point whatever coach needs me to do I'll do. I thought we played 48 minutes (as a team). With (the Hawks), it is so tough to guard them. They spread the floor and have great shooters." – George after the game
“He missed a couple of 3’s in the second half and I thought about (taking him out), but against this (Hawks) team, with the speed they have out there, you have to play, at least for the defensive end. He’s guarding an elite point guard (Jeff Teague) all night and doing all of the intangible things on the defensive end.” – Pacers coach Frank Vogel
“It’s always important to give them credit. They’re a good defensive team. Individually, they’ve got some guys that are good. It’s what we’ve been seeing for four games now.” - Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer
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