Game Preview: Pacers vs Hawks

Last Updated: Dec 28, 12:41 PM

Three times this season, the Pacers have found themselves in the midst of a three-game losing streak. And all three times, they've been able to right the ship and avoid making it four straight.

On Saturday night, on the road against Minnesota, Indiana used a 36-point fourth quarterer to slam the door on the Timberwolves, as Monta Ellis racked up 22 points, with Paul George adding 18 in the 102-88 victory.

Now the Pacers turn their attention to the Atlanta Hawks, a team that after a slow start, has risen back to the top tier of the Eastern Conference with a 20-12 record.

Zero Fees: FOX Sports Indiana has eliminated online fees for tickets bought in December for any home game. Find Tickets Now »

The Hawks — winners of their last six games — share the ball as well as any team in the league, averaging the third-most assists per game. In addition to that, they have sticky fingers, swiping the third-most steals in the NBA.

Of late, the Pacers have struggled against Atlanta, dropping their last four games to the Hawks, dating back to the 2013-14 season.

For Indiana, the bench has been a reliable asset this season. Jordan Hill has scored double-figures in five straight games and in 10-of-13 games in the month of December. Rodney Stuckey, who exited Saturday night's game briefly with a turned ankle, returned and passed out eight assists.

But against the Hawks, turnovers, which have troubled the Pacers of late, will need to be cut down on. The Hawks force the third-most in the league and with Indianapolis-native Jeff Teague at point guard, it doesn't take long for Atlanta to convert those mistakes into points.

George Hill

Monta Ellis

Paul George

C.J. Miles

Ian Mahinmi

Jeff Teague

Kyle Korver

Kent Bazemore

Paul Millsap

Al Horford

Pacers: PG - George Hill, SG - Monta Ellis, SF - Paul George, PF - C.J. Miles, C - Ian Mahinmi
Hawks: PG - Jeff Teague, SG - Kyle Korver, SF - Kent Bazemore, PF - Paul Millsap, C - Al Horford

Pacers: None

Hawks: None

January 21, 2015: At the end of January, the Pacers fell 110-91 to the Hawks in Atlanta. The loss capped off a Hawks three-game sweep of the Pacers during the 2014-15 season

At the time, the Hawks were the toast of the Eastern Conference, sporting a 34-8 record entering the matchup.

In the second half, Atlanta used a 13-4 run to extend its advantage, despite an 18-point night from C.J. Miles.

Indiana did have some success getting to the free throw line, sinking 24-of-26 attempts from the charity stripe.

TV: FOX Sports Indiana - Chris Denari (play-by-play), Quinn Buckner (analyst), Jeremiah Johnson (sideline reporter/host)
Radio: 93.5 FM/AM 1070 The Fan - Mark Boyle (play-by-play), Slick Leonard (analyst) Pat Boylan (sideline reporter/host)
Please Note: Inside Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Pacers radio broadcasts can be heard on 1080 AM instead of 1070.

On Monday, the Pacers take on Jeff Teague and the Hawks. Good seats still remain for that game and thanks to FOX Sports Indiana, any tickets purchased online between now and the end of December will include zero fees. Find Tickets »

Boomer Mini Basketball - $10. Game Night Specials can be purchased in the Home Court Gift Shop or any of our souvenir stands located on all levels of Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The special is also available online at PacersGear.com until midnight.