Here are three defining plays from Game 1 that led the Pacers to a 107-90 series opening win over the Hawks.
George’s three-point play
Jeff Teague hit a 3-pointer to pull the Hawks within five points, 55-50, in the closing seconds of the first half. Paul George drove to the basket for a layup and was fouled by Johan Petro with 2.7 seconds remaining in the second quarter. He converted the free throw to give the Pacers an eight-point advantage at intermission. An eight-point margin would be the closest the Hawks would get the rest of the afternoon.
Another Hansbrough rebound
DeShawn Stevenson hit a 3-pointer to pull the Hawks within eight points, 89-81, early in the fourth quarter. The Pacers’ Tyler Hansbrough was fouled and he made the first of his free throws. After missing the second, the center got his own rebound. Roy Hibbert would miss a jump shot and Lance Stephenson corralled that offensive rebound. George Hill then hit a 3-pointer for a 12-point lead.
“That is just being out-worked,” Hawks coach Larry Drew said.
Another scramble goes to the Pacers
Jeff Teague hit a 3-pointer with 4:56 remaining to pull the Hawks to within 95-86. On the ensuing Pacers’ possession, David West missed from six feet. The rebound bounced around and was eventually controlled by Paul George. He got the ball to Lance Stephenson who drove from the wing and dropped a pass to West standing under the basket for a layup. The basket ended any hope of a Hawks comeback.
About the Author
