After a horrible performance on Friday-evening against the San Antonio Spurs, the Atlanta Hawks got back into action on Saturday as hosts for the Indiana Pacers. For more than three quarters the Hawks performed at a much higher level. Along the trajectory, however, Atlanta melted to lose with a final score of 125-113, falling for the sixth time in seven games.
The start of the game was a bit sloppy on both sides, including three quick turnovers for the Hawks. Atlanta weathered that storm, thanks in large part to the passing quality of Trae Young and others, and the Hawks took a 13-12 lead on the first timeout.
The remainder of the quarter was deeply contentious, including a period towards the end of the period when the Atlanta bank was somewhat shaky. All told, the Hawks were one run behind after 12 minutes and generated 11 assists in the opening period.
In fact, the Hawks helped with their first 13 field goals until Kevin Huerter turned the dribble into a pretty impressive play to beat Doug McDermott for a lay-up early in the second period.
However, the Atlanta defense was unable to make stops, and the Pacers took control as a result. Indiana scored 19 points in the first 4:30 of the second quarter to extend their lead, even as the Hawks produced highlights, including a massive Cam Reddish dunk.
Atlanta did put together a 14-5 push to climb back in one go, but after a time-out, Indiana answered with seven straight runs of its own. However, the Hawks managed to stabilize from there and entered the dressing room trailing only four points at 62-58.
Defense was a problem in the first half, especially as the Pacers made only three turns in the first 24 minutes. On the offensive side, Atlanta was poised, with seven players scoring six or more points, and the Hawks generating 21 assists, representing a season high for each half in 2020-21.
The Hawks started rolling in the third quarter with a 7-2 point – capped by a three-pointer from Kevin Huerter – to take a 1 point lead.
Young was masterful in the third quarter, getting assists, and effectively penetrating Indiana’s defense. His offensive performance was central to an extended 24-12 run by the Hawks, with Atlanta taking an eight-run lead.
Things lingered a bit from then on, as the Hawks scrambled when Young rested late in the third quarter. Still, Atlanta managed to hold on to the lead by taking a three-point lead in the closing period.
The Hawks led a whopping nine runs in the fourth quarter, and when Reddish hit a three-pointer with 6:29 to go, Atlanta led by a 103-101 margin. From that moment on, the home team collapsed.
The Pacers zoomed in on a 17-2 run and failed to stop as the attack ugly sputtered.
After the Hawks 2 went up with 6:29 left, here’s what happened offensively:
Cam missed three
Collins was missing an 8-footer
Capela makes sweater
Young turnover
Young turnover
Gallinari missed three
Huerter missed three
Young shot blocked
Gallinari missed three– Brad Rowland (@BTRowland) February 14, 2021
When the dust settled, the Hawks fell with a final score of 125-113 and lost the fourth quarter by a margin of 41-26. The Pacers converted 12 of 17 shots, including 4 of 6 from three-point range in the last period, while the Hawks only 9 of 24 shots in the last 12 minutes.
Individually, three members of the Hawks generated double-doubles. Young scored 15 points and provided 14 assists, although he made no attempt with a three-pointer. Capela finished with 24 points and 10 rebounds, while Huerter added 10 points and 10 assists.
Atlanta produced a season-high 35 assists and, from a full-game standpoint, the team’s offensive output was enough to win. Defensively, however, the Hawks allowed the Pacers to score more than 1.25 points per possession, and Indiana finished with a 51/39/85 shooting line in this game.
The Hawks will now travel to New York to take on the Knicks at Madison Square Garden Monday night.
Stay tuned.