The Hawks overcame one poor-shooting quarter - but not two.
Not against the Pacers.
The Pacers took advantage of the Hawks’ third-quarter woes to break open a close game but had to hold off a late rally for an 89-85 victory Tuesday night at Philips Arena.
The Hawks battled back from a 26 percent effort in the first quarter. They could not survive a 30 percent effort in the third quarter. The Pacers opened the second half with a 13-4 run and ran away from the Hawks. They led by as many as 11 points after three quarters and pushed the lead to 16 points by the fourth quarter.
The Hawks used a 17-5 run in the fourth quarter to pull within four points, 78-74, with 2:23 remaining. However, the Pacers answered with a David West basket and a Paul George steal and dunk off a bad pass from Dennis Schroder.
The Hawks pulled to within two points, 86-84, on a Cartier Martin 3-pointer with 14.9 seconds remaining. The Pacers’ C.J. Watson made one free throw with 13.2 seconds left. The Hawks got the rebound off the miss and pushed it up the floor before Millsap was fouled with 4.1 seconds left. He made just one of his free attempts.
Danny Granger made two free throws with 3.8 seconds left to clinch it for the Pacers.
The Hawks (25-22, 16-8 home) had their two-game win streak snapped. They lost a regular-season home game to the Pacers for the first time since Dec. 22, 2006, a span of 12 games.
Mike Scott finished with 15 points, his 12th straight game in double figures off the bench, to lead the Hawks. Elton Brand added 12 points off the bench. Kyle Korver extended his NBA-record streak to 116 games with a 3-pointer.
All-Star Paul Millsap was held to seven points on 2 of 11 shooting. He did pull down 12 rebounds. In two games against the Pacers this season, Millsap is a combined 3 of 21 with 10 points.
The Hawks late rally was done mostly with a unit of Shelvin Mack, Martin, Scott, Schroder and Millsap.
The Eastern Conference leading Pacers (38-10, 15-8 road) have won three straight.
West led the Pacers with a game-high 22 points. George added 18 points.
The Pacers broke open the game after a back-and-forth first half. They started the third quarter with 13-4 run and would lead by as many as 11 points. The Hawks shot 30 percent (6 of 20) in the decisive third period.
The Hawks took a 43-42 lead into halftime after surviving a miserable first quarter. The Hawks shot just 26 percent (6 of 23) in the opening period. They only trailed by four points despite the fact the Pacers shot 53 percent (9 of 17) due to seven first-quarter turnovers.
The Pacers took a seven-point advantage, 22-15, in the second quarter with an 11-0 run between the first two periods. The Hawks failed to score for 6:28, missed 11 straight shots and committed four turnovers.
A 16-4 run put the Hawks back on top as they shot 73 percent (11 of 15) in the second quarter.
Hawks conclude a back-to-back at the Pelicans Wednesday.
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