Feb 4, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert (55) shoots a basket over Atlanta Hawks power forward Elton Brand (42) in the second half at Philips Arena. The Pacers won 89-85. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports
The streak is finally over; the Pacers have won a regular season game in Atlanta for the first time since December of 2006. Perhaps the best Pacers team in that team-span, with the NBA’s record at 38-10, beat the Hawks 89-85 on Tuesday night at Phillips Arena.
The Atlanta-based losing streak wasn’t the only thing going against Indiana. The Pacers played last night in Orlando, lost All-Star Lance Stephenson for the game with a lower back injury in the third quarter, and turned the ball over 19 times, but were able to survive a late surge from the Hawks bench to hold on for the win.
The Pacers lead 19-15 after a first quarter where the Hawks shot just 26% from the field, but things would get worse for the Hawks. The Hawks would go scoreless in a span that extended between two periods and lasted over 6 minutes on the game clock, going 0-11 from the field during that period. The Pacers would go on an 11-0 run during that same span.
The Hawks would not catch fire in the third quarter, scoring a season low 12 points in the third quarter. Statistically, the Pacers are the league’s best defensive team, holding teams to 90 points per game and holding their opponents to just a league low 41.3% shooting from the field. The Pacers lived up to that billing, holding the Hawks to 43% shooting from the field. Mike Scott led the way with 15 points off the bench, and Elton Brand added 12 points and 7 rebounds, but no other Hawk was in double figures in scoring.
Kyle Korver extended his record-streak of consecutive games with a three-pointer made to 116 just two minutes into the contest, but that would be his only made three of the night. Korver finished with 9 points, but was just 1-5 from three-point land, and the Hawks collectively would shoot 7-25 from downtown.
The Hawks fall to 25-21, but won’t have much time to think about this one, as they will take on the New Orleans Pelicans tomorrow night. However the Hawks could be well-rested, with this being their first action since Saturday, only Korver and Paul Milsap played over 30 minutes tonight against the Pacers.