Hawks-Pacers, Game 1: Schultz’s three observations

1. Paging Kyle Korver: His defense on Paul George (23 points, 11 rebounds, 12 assists) for most of the game was awful (not totally unexpected). But the Hawks can afford to give up something on the defensive end if Korver is hitting his jumper, which he wasn't in Game 1. He hit only two of seven from the floor, including one of four from three-point range. If that doesn't signficantly improve, the Hawks may not win a game in this post season.

2. Dept of giveaways: The Hawks already are giving up size to Indiana. They can't afford to giveaway anything else. But while the Pacers commanded a rebounding advantage of 48-32, players admitted that a number of those boards were sheer hustle plays, or "50-50" balls. The Hawks also had more turnovers than the Pacers (16-14) in a series where it's mandated they have fewer for any chance to win. Second-chance points: Pacers 19, Hawks 7. That's not about size.

2. Ivan Johnson showed up: He's the Hawks' toughest player. Too bad he's not two or three inches taller. Johnson finished with 10 points, five rebounds, a block, a steal and an assist. That's about as good a line as you can expect from the guy. If every played as hard as Johnson did Sunday, it would've been a different result.