ATLANTA 118, INDIANA 102
Pacers Defenseless Against Hawks
At Atlanta | April 17, 2007
Confirming the meaninglessness of the outcome by their performance, the Pacers were dominated by Atlanta for most of the game as the Hawks closed out their season with a 118-102 victory Tuesday in Philips Arena.
Four Atlanta starters scored at least 20 points, including 25 each from Josh Smith and Tyronn Lue, as the Hawks built an 18-point lead in the first quarter and, but for a brief lapse during the third period, had Indiana completely under control.
Ike Diogu scored 20 off the bench to lead the Pacers (35-46), who lost their third in a row and fourth in five games heading into Wednesday night's finale against Washington in Conseco Fieldhouse. The Pacers finished the year with a 13-28 road record, their worst since a 12-29 mark in 1990-91.
Atlanta finished the season 30-52 overall, 18-23 at home and avoided a season series sweep.
PLUSES
A few of the reserves brought energy, led by Diogu (7-of-12 shooting, seven rebounds in 28 minutes). Keith McLeod produced 11 rebounds and five assists, Maceo Baston had nine points, three rebounds, two assists and a block and Orien Greene scored a season-high nine in 14 minutes. Of the starters, who were outscored 108-41 by Atlanta's first unit, Danny Granger managed 15 and Mike Dunleavy 11. The Pacers shot well enough, 49.3 percent overall, but offense wasn't the problem.
MINUSES
Defense was not in evidence for most of the night as the Hawks enjoyed a prolonged layup drill, hitting 16-of-20 while rolling up 41 points in the first quarter and 76 in the first half on 66.7 percent shooting. Atlanta finished at 53 percent for the game, outrebounded the Pacers 41-33 and committed just 11 turnovers. Smith had 13 rebounds, five assists, four blocks and two steals in addition to his 25 points, while Lue also had eight assists. Marvin Williams scored 23 on 10-of-15 shooting, adding seven rebounds, three assists and two steals. Shelden Williams scored a career-high 21 with 10 rebounds and two blocks. Solomon Jones had 14 points, eight rebounds and two blocks.
MOMENTS
The Hawks were cruising along with an 86-66 lead midway through the third period when the Pacers made their only stand of the night, holding Atlanta to just one basket the rest of the quarter while putting together a 14-2 run that cut the deficit to 88-80. Diogu and Granger combined for 12 of the points in the run.
he Pacers hung around briefly, trailing 94-85 with 9:17 remaining, before the Hawks heated back up by attacking the basket and rolled up a 22-9 run to blow it wide open.
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