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 without a true center late in Game 3 as they elected to use the tandem of forwards David West and reserve Luis Scola during the Hawks' 98-85 victory Thursday.
The impact: The pronounced struggle of Roy Hibbert has drawn national attention for the top-seeded Pacers. The 7-foot-2 center averaged only 6.0 points in the first three games, on 7-of-25 shooting and 4.7 rebounds. He has yet to record a blocked shot. Hibbert's failures, especially close to the basket, have caused team president Larry Bird to bury his head in his hands.
Hibbert has not played a fourth-quarter minute in the past two games. Hibbert’s backup, Ian Mahinmi, played just 2:36 in the fourth quarter Thursday.
The Pacers turned to West and Scola. West played all but 1:44 of the second half in Game 3. Scola scored 20 and 17 points, respectively, in Games 2 and 3 off the bench.
The smaller lineup, used sparingly this season by the Pacers, was an attempt to match the Hawks’ speed and ability to spread the floor.
What they said: "You do what you need to do to win basketball games. We won basketball games with David and Luis playing together. We beat the San Antonio Spurs in San Antonio playing with that lineup. It's not something that is that far from whom we are.
“I was just trying to play the guys who have been playing well. Luis has been playing well. David has been playing well. So, you have to play the guys who are going to perform, even if they are a little bit out of position. It gives us better shooting, better offensive firepower.” — Pacers coach Frank Vogel
“We really haven’t adjusted to Scola. Today was the first day that we adjusted to Scola. Our game plan was really around Paul George and David West. Today, coach made adjustments to Scola.” — Hawks forward DeMarre Carroll
“They are all good players no matter who they put out there. They are each unique. Hibbert can really protect the rim and create problems for you in the paint. He can score in the paint. Scola is a little more perimeter-oriented. He is very crafty and slips and drives it and does so many things that go unnoticed and underappreciated.” — Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer
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