Matchup
Last year, the Pacers rolled to the top seed in the Eastern Conference while the Hawks snuck into the playoffs as the eighth seed. What a difference a year makes.
Indiana (15-28) heads to Atlanta mired in a five-game losing streak (tied with the Lakers for the longest current skid in the NBA), three games out of the eighth and final playoff spot in the East. Meanwhile, the Hawks (34-8) are the hottest team in the league. Atlanta has won 13 straight games and leads the East by five games.
The Pacers have obviously been ravaged by injuries. Though they've slowly gotten healthier, starting point guard George Hill has missed the last 10 games with a strained groin. His absence continues to hurt the Blue & Gold, who have committed 39 turnovers over their last two games. Hill practiced with the team last Thursday and is expected to return to the lineup sometime this week, but he has been ruled out for Wednesday's contest.
The Hawks have already beaten the Pacers twice this season and will look to sweep the season series on Wednesday night. After surprisingly taking Indiana to seven games in last year's playoffs, Atlanta has built on that success, buoyed by the return of All-Star center Al Horford, who missed the second half of last season with a torn pectoral muscle.
The Hawks are a complete team. They have lost just twice since Nov. 26 and rank among the league's best in a bevy of statistical categories.
They've earned the nickname of "Spurs East" for their free-flowing offense, orchestrated by head coach Mike Budenholzer, a disciple of San Antonio head coach Gregg Popovich. Indeed, Atlanta ranks sixth in the NBA in offensive rating and they boast the third-best team 3-point percentage.
But the Hawks are just as good on the defensive end. Atlanta allows just 96.3 points per game, the fewest in the NBA, and ranks fourth in opponent field goal percentage.
Projected Starters
C.J. Watson
Rodney Stuckey
Solomon Hill
David West
Roy Hibbert
Jeff Teague
Jeff Teague
DeMarre Carroll
Paul Millsap
Al Horford
Pacers: PG - C.J. Watson, SG - Rodney Stuckey, SF - Solomon Hill, PF - David West, C - Roy Hibbert
Hawks: PG - Jeff Teague, SG - Kyle Korver, SF - DeMarre Carroll, PF - Paul Millsap, C - Al Horford
Injury Report
Pacers: Paul George - out (rehabilitation, fractured right tibia/fibula), George Hill - out (left groin strain)
Hawks: Shelvin Mack - out (left calf strain)
Last Meeting
December 8, 2014: The Pacers dropped their fifth straight game falling to the hot-shooting Atlanta Hawks at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, 108-92.
The Hawks shot 52 percent from the field and made 9-of-21 shots from 3-point range. Indiana, meanwhile, shot 44 percent but also committed 17 turnovers and made just 9-of-17 attempts from the free throw line in the loss.
Rodney Stuckey led the Pacers with 15 points on 6-of-11 shooting. C.J. Miles also added 15 points off the bench, while Luis Scola contributed 12 points and nine rebounds.
Hawks center Al Horford led all scorers with 25 points and eight rebounds. Pike High School alum Jeff Teague added 21 points and seven assists for the visitors.
Noteworthy
- The Hawks are looking to sweep the regular season series with the Pacers for the first time since they took all three meetings during the 2009-10 season.
- Indiana trails the overall series with the Hawks 79-96, including a 26-60 record in Atlanta.
- Pacers guard Rodney Stuckey needs eight assists to reach 2,000 in his career.
Broadcast Information
TV: FOX Sports Indiana - Chris Denari (play-by-play), Quinn Buckner (analyst), Jeremiah Johnson (sideline reporter/host)
Radio: 107.5/1070 The Fan - Mark Boyle (play-by-play), Pat Boylan (studio host)