The Hawks survived a fierce Indiana Pacers comeback with a 131-128 victory, at State Farm Arena Sunday night. This game could have been over much more quickly, as Atlanta scored a season-high 77 points in the first half and led by as many as 19 points. The undermanned-Pacers scored 69 points in the second half to shock the energetic crowd at State Farm Arena. Indiana’s comeback effort was led by guards, Tyrese Haliburton and Buddy Hield, whom went on an 8-0 run late in the fourth quarter to take this game down to the wire. Trae Young was able to hit two clutch free throws, and Danilo Gallinari threw a strategic inbound pass to De’Andre Hunter for a layup to secure the win down the stretch.
Sunday’s game was the definition of a Trae Young-masterpiece. He torched the Pacers for 47 points, shooting 7-of-10 from three-point range and going 14-of-14 from the charity strike. Young came out red-hot in the first half scoring 33 points, including seven threes, two of which were logo-bomb three’s. The Hawks offense, as a whole, operated very efficiently in the first half, with splits of 60% from the field, 59% from three and 100% from the free-throw line.
Indiana changed up their game-plan completely and came out in the third quarter double-teaming Young behind half-court and even face guarded him to diminish his impact on the game. The Hawks offense struggled after this defensive adjustment by Indiana in the second half, scoring only 54 points compared to the 77 they had in the first half. Atlanta lost momentum and turned the ball over eight times in the final 24 minutes compared to just three total in the first half.
Gallinari started for an injured John Collins, finishing with 15 points. He used his 6’10” frame to his advantage, effortlessly shooting over many shot contests. It should be noted that Gallinari could be in line to start again Monday night at home against the Portland Trailblazers, especially on a back-to-back set, for the ailing Collins.
Hunter continued his impressive streak, scoring 15 points on an efficient 5-of-10 from the field and 3-of-4 from three. Over his last six games, Hunter is averaging 17.2 points per game on 57.1% from the field and 47.6% from the three-point line.
Kevin Huerter finished with 14 points, including shooting 4-of-9 from behind the three-point arc. Clint Capela threw down multiple thunderous alley-oops from Young and Huerter in the first quarter. He finished with 10 points and six rebounds and also chipped in three steals.
Off the bench, Bogdan Bogdanovic continued his shooting slump, shooting just 2-of-9 from three, and finishing with 13 points. In contrast, Bogdanovic was still able to contribute in other areas, especially in playmaking, finishing with six assists. That is now ‘Bogi’s’ third game in his last four where he has finished with five or more assists.
Onyeka Okongwu, as usual, provided an instant burst of energy for the Hawks, finishing with 13 points and nine rebounds. The exciting matchup between him and young Pacers center, Isaiah Jackson, provided great entertainment all night. Both players tried to out-hustle each other on what seemed like every play. Jackson had a double-double of 12 points and 15 rebounds, as he won the battle of the centers.
Haliburton and Hield, two players the Pacers got back in the Domantas Sabonis-trade to the Sacramento Kings earlier this season, led the daring comeback, scoring 25 points each. Haliburton also dished out 10 assists to highlight his stellar play. Oshae Brissett chipped in 15 points, and none were bigger than the three consecutive three-pointers he hit in the third quarter. He and Duane Washington Jr., who hurt the Hawks off the bench, with 22 points and four three’s, set the stage for Indiana’s fourth-quarter run, cutting the Hawks’ lead to 105-92 to begin the final frame. Jalen Smith also put up a 13-point, 10-rebound double-double to support Jackson’s strong game. Terry Taylor added an efficient 16 points on 6-of-8 shooting to round out his night.
The Hawks offense provided just enough firepower to edge out a young, spirited Pacers team. They will face the similarly youthful, undermanned-Portland Trailblazers Monday night at home. Atlanta needs to use this game as motivation to hustle for 48 minutes on the defensive end. The Hawks have their sights set on that elusive .500 mark. They look to get even for the first time since being 14-14, with only 15 games remaining in the regular season. Tip-off for Monday’s game is at 7:30 p.m. from State Farm Arena.
