by Jordan Morey
The Pacers (19-14) will look to extend the NBA’s longest active win streak to six games on Friday, when they welcome the Atlanta Hawks (14-19) to Gainbridge Fieldhouse. If the first matchup was an indication, the second contest between the two Eastern Conference teams could prove to be another shootout.
The last time Indiana and Atlanta met, the scoreboard could’ve combusted, as the Pacers recorded an NBA franchise record 157 points in a 157-151 In-Season Tournament win over the Hawks at State Farm Arena.
In a battle between All-Star point guards, Tyrese Haliburton scored 37 points – including a blue and gold record of 26 points in the third quarter – and dished out 16 assists, while Trae Young logged 38 points and eight assists for the Hawks.
Indiana continues to lead the league at 126.9 points per game and the Hawks are averaging 122.8, which ranks third. Both teams are in the top six for offensive rating, and the Pacers and Hawks also rank in the league’s top five for pace.
This week, the Pacers beat the Milwaukee Bucks (24-10) – the second-highest scoring team in the league — twice to move to 2-0 in 2024.
On Wednesday in Indianapolis, the Pacers trailed by two at halftime before erupting for 47 points in the third quarter and holding on in the final frame for a 142-130 win. Seven players scored in double figures for the Pacers, led by 31 points and 12 assists from Haliburton and 16 points by Bennedict Mathurin off the bench.
Haliburton has put up incredible numbers over his last five games, averaging 26.2 points, 15.8 assists and 1.8 steals per game on 51.5 percent shooting overall and 39.6 percent from 3-point range. Mathurin has also played his best basketball thus far during the stretch, averaging 17.2 points on 57.7 percent shooting while pulling down 4.6 rebounds per game.
As a team, the Pacers have scored at a 129.4 point-per-game clip during the winning streak while giving up 118.0 on average – a significant defensive improvement compared to the beginning of the season.
Atlanta enters the matchup coming off a 141-138 Wednesday night home win over the Oklahoma City Thunder (23-10).
The Hawks scored at least 37 points in each of the first three quarters before holding off a late charge by the Thunder in the final 12 minutes.
Four players scored at least 20 points for the Hawks, led by 28 points from forward Jalen Johnson and 24 by Young. A lot of work by the Hawks was done at the free throw line, as they finished 31 for 33 from the charity stripe as a team.
Indiana’s game against Atlanta will be the second in a five-game homestand, with the Blue & Gold hosting the Eastern Conference leaders the Boston Celtics (26-7) on both Saturday and Jan. 8.
Projected Starters
Pacers: G – Tyrese Haliburton, G – Bruce Brown, F – Aaron Nesmith, F – Jalen Smith, C – Myles Turner
Hawks: G – Trae Young, G – Dejounte Murray, F – Saddiq Bey, F – Jalen Johnson, C – Clint Capela
Injury Report
Pacers: Andrew Nembhard – questionable (mid-back sprain)
Hawks: TBA
Last Meeting
Nov. 21, 2023: The Indiana Pacers scored an NBA franchise record for points in a single game by posting a 157-151 In-Season Tournament (IST) victory over the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena. With the win, the Pacers punched a ticket to the IST quarterfinals.
Tyrese Haliburton led the scoring onslaught, recording a franchise-record 26 points in the third quarter before finishing with a team-high 37 points (11-for-18 from the field, 9-for-15 from 3-point range). Haliburton also logged 16 assists, five rebounds, and three steals in the game.
Indiana trailed the Hawks by 13 points at halftime, but went ahead by five heading into the fourth quarter thanks to Haliburton’s red-hot shooting.
With 1:20 left in the game, Buddy Hield — who scored 13 of his 24 total points in the fourth quarter – drilled back-to-back 3-pointers to put the Pacers ahead 155-152. The Pacers then got a defensive stop on the ensuing possession, and Hield scored an uncontested layup at the buzzer to end it.
The Pacers made 57 of 94 shots, including 21 of 28 from 3-point range, while the Hawks were 57-for-95 (15-for-31 from 3-point range). In the second half alone, the Pacers shot 69.6 percent to score a new NBA franchise record 86 second half points. Seven Pacers scored in double figures in the game, with Hield (24 points), Obi Toppin (21), and Bennedict Mathurin (19) following Haliburton.
Trae Young led the Hawks with 38 points, Dejounte Murray scored 28, and Bogdan Bogdanovic supplied 26 points off the bench.
Noteworthy
- Pacers sharpshooter Buddy Hield is two 3-pointers away from hitting 1,800 for his career. He will be the 25th player in NBA history to accomplish the feat.
- Veteran center Myles Turner is seven blocks away from 1,200 for his career. He is currently tied for 63rd all-time in NBA history with Bo Outlaw and Adonal Foyle.
- After missing five games due to a bruised knee, Pacers starting guard Bruce Brown returned to the floor on Wednesday against Milwaukee.
- The Pacers and Hawks will play two more times after Friday: on Jan. 12 in Atlanta and back in Indianapolis on April 14. The Hawks have won the season series the last two seasons.
- Hawks assistant coach Ronald Nored was a Pacers assistant from 2021-2023 and played for Butler University from 2008-2012.
Broadcast Information (TV and Radio Listings)
TV: Bally Sports Indiana – Chris Denari (play-by-play), Quinn Buckner (analyst), Jeremiah Johnson (sideline reporter/host)
Radio: 93.5/107.5 The Fan – Mark Boyle (play-by-play), Eddie Gill (analyst), Pat Boylan (sideline reporter/host)
Tickets
The Pacers continue a five-game homestand on Friday, Jan. 5, when they welcome Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks to Gainbridge Fieldhouse at 7:00 PM ET.
Originally posted on pacers.com