Indiana took six quarters of playoff basketball to figure out what to do against the Atlanta Hawks. When it finally flipped the switch, they looked like the Pacers of old. The No. 1 seed in the East finally had a breakout game, defeating the Atlanta Hawks at home, 101-85.
NBA playoffs 2014, Hawks vs. Pacers final score: Indiana breaks through, routs Atlanta in Game 2
The slumping Pacers beat the Hawks in Indianapolis on Tuesday.
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Things looked much the same as they did in Game 1 in the first half. Jeff Teague continued to assert himself by getting to the rack, pushing past the Pacers defense despite Paul George switching onto him on defense. Pero Antic and Paul Millsap stretched out Roy Hibbert and David West, and the Hawks took a lead into the third, 52-48.
Indiana came surging back out of the break, stifling the Hawks for just 13 points in the third quarter as they scored 31 of their own. Paul George and George Hill were particularly aggressive, with the Pacers deciding to fight fire with fire against Teague. The game was locked up by the middle of the fourth, and the Pacers got a much-needed win, 101-85.
Paul George led all scorers with 27 points on 9-of-16 shooting, adding 10 rebounds, six assists and four steals. Luis Scola provided a spark off the bench with 20 points and seven rebounds. George Hill finished with 15 points on an efficient 5-of-8 from the field.
For Atlanta, Paul Millsap led the way with 19 points on 6-of-12 shooting, adding four rebounds, one assist and a steal. Jeff Teague was the only other starter in double-digits, scoring 14 points to go along with five rebounds, four assists and two steals.
Game 3 will be on Thursday, Apr. 24 at 7 p.m. on NBATV. The series is tied, 1-1.
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