Backdoor Cut: Atlanta takes 2-1 series lead over Indiana

In front of a sold out crowd, the Atlanta Hawks took a 2-1 series lead over Indiana in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs with a 98-85 victory at Philips Arena on Thursday night. Jeff Teague scored a game-high 22 points along with 10 assists for the Hawks while Paul Millsap’s 14 rebounds were also a game-high while contributing 20 points for the home team.

Lance Stephenson was a bright spot for the Pacers, leading the team in scoring with 21 points and grabbing 13 rebounds. Paul George had a team-high 14 rebounds along with 12 points, all of which came in the second half.

Atlanta outscored Indiana 59-47 in the second half to secure the victory.

The game started off well for the Hawks as they were able to get open looks on offense while containing the stagnant Pacers on the defensive end. George began the contest with a turnover on Indiana’s first possession of the contest due to traveling violation and made matters worse by fouling Korver on the other end of the floor on a three-pointer attempt. Another first quarter foul by George put him on the bench for the majority of the first quarter.

Both teams struggled offensively in the first quarter, particularly Atlanta who shot only 35-percent from the field but still tied the score at 24 into the second quarter. West carried the offensive load for the Pacers, scoring eight first-quarter points for the road team. Teague contributed a team-high seven points for the Hawks.

Both teams’ offenses didn’t fare much better in the second quarter with the Hawks outscoring the Pacers 15-14 to take a 39-38 lead into halftime. West led all scorers with 12 first-half points while Millsap had a team-high 10 points for the Hawks.

The story of the first half for Atlanta was ineptitude on three-pointer attempts, making only two out of 16 attempts while the George went scoreless for the Pacers, missing both shot attempts, while Hibbert’s postseason struggles continued, scoring only four points and grabbing no rebounds in the half.

The Hawks came out to a blistering pace to start the second half, beginning the third quater with an 11-4 run, culminating with a Korver three-pointer to give them the biggest lead of the contest at 50-42. Atlanta outscored Indiana 28-20 in the third quarter to take a 67-58 lead heading into the fourth quarter.