Following each Hawks playoff game, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution will examine a strategic element that affected the outcome of the contest.
The strategy: Pacers coach Frank Vogel went small with several rotations to counter the speed of the Hawks, and it helped in a 95-88 Game 6 victory.
The impact: The Pacers had the need for speed. Forward David West admitted that the Hawks are a matchup problem because of their foot speed. During the series, it has affected the way the Pacers defend Hawks guards such as Jeff Teague from driving into the paint. It also has presented a problem in getting to the Hawks' perimeter shooters.
The strategy to go with smaller, faster players began early in Game 6. Roy Hibbert started at center, but played only 12 minutes as Ian Mahinmi played increased minutes. According to Elias Sports, Hibbert became the second player in NBA history with consecutive scoreless playoff games after making an All-Star team the same season. The Pacers used Mahinmi to defend Paul Millsap.
In addition, the Pacers’ first substitute of the game was little-used forward Chris Copeland, who came in for Hibbert with 5:27 left in the first quarter.
Forward Luis Scola, usually the first Pacers player off the bench and who averaged 17.5 minutes in the first five games, played only the final 12 seconds. Guard/forward Evan Turner, who averaged 12.6 minutes in the previous five games, did not play.
The Hawks had their worst 3-point shooting effort of the series, making only 25.7 percent (9-of-35) from long range.
What they said: "We tried some different lineups tonight. Coach just rolled the dice." — West
“Ian Mahinmi is more of a mobile center, and Roy is better at the rim. You need some mobility when you’re guarding the 3-point shooters.” — Vogel
“They tried to put some faster guys out there. I think we killed ourselves. Honestly, I don’t think that’s what lost us the game. I think poor execution and not playing our style of basketball down the stretch. I think that’s what did it. Give them credit. Mahinmi played pretty good defense on me. He moved his feet well.” — Millsap
About the Author
