The Indiana Pacers just can't catch a break. Despite dominating in Game 2 against the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday, the Pacers looked like their old selves in Game 3. A stagnant offense and inefficient defense saw the Hawks take a 2-1 series lead with a win, 98-85.
Pacers vs. Hawks final score, NBA playoffs 2014: Atlanta takes 2-1 lead at home
Indiana came out flat against the Hawks, who found a way to score from beyond the arc in the second half.
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Atlanta got off to a rough start, sinking only one of its first 10 three-point attempts. The Pacers clamped down on them from the arc, and a low field-goal percentage for both teams led to Atlanta’s 39-38 advantage at the half.
Indiana couldn't stop the Atlanta in the third quarter, with the Hawks scoring 28 points as their three-point attack got back on track. The Hawks finished the game 12-of-34 from three, with Kyle Korver going 4-of-7 from deep. Jeff Teague continued to slash his way through the Pacers defense, with 11 of his 20 field goal attempts coming from inside the lane. The Hawks rocked the Pacers as Roy Hibbert was on the floor for Indiana for just 19 minutes.
Jeff Teague with the Michael Jordan shrug.
Teague led all scorers with 22 points on 7-of-20 shooting, adding 10 assists, two rebounds, a steal and a block. Paul Millsap had a huge double-double, dropping in 14 points to go along with 14 rebounds and four assists. Korver scored 20 points and added six rebounds.
For the Pacers, it was Lance Stephenson leading the way with 21 points on 8-of-16 shooting, as well as 13 rebounds, four assists and three steals. Luis Scola was incredibly productive off the bench, scoring 17 points to go with three rebounds. Paul George scored 12 points. George Hill had just four.
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