Game Preview: Pacers at Hawks

Last Updated: Feb. 5 at 9:45 AM

The Pacers (26-23) will look to sweep their two-game road trip on Friday night with a win over the Atlanta Hawks (29-22). Indiana is coming off a 114-100 victory over the hapless Nets on Wednesday night in Brooklyn, but winning in Atlanta will be a tougher task.

It would be a big boost for the Blue & Gold if they get another solid performance from swingman C.J. Miles. Miles had struggled mightily for the last several weeks before a breakout game in Brooklyn. The 11-year veteran sharpshooter had reached double figures just once in his last 10 games while mired in a 4-for-39 slump from 3-point range until he caught fire against the Nets. Miles scored 15 points in the second quarter alone on Wednesday and finished with 27 on 10-of-15 shooting (4-for-7 from beyond the arc).

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Though the Nets have the second-worst record in the Eastern Conference, a road win of any sort has to be a confidence boost for Indiana. The Pacers had dropped five of their last six games away from the friendly confines of Bankers Life Fieldhouse heading into Wednesday.

Now, they prepare for a Hawks team they beat just a week ago, a 111-92 victory at The Fieldhouse. After dropping three straight games, the Hawks have bounced back with a pair of wins, beating the Mavericks by 15 points at home on Monday behind a 32-point performance from former Pike High School star Jeff Teague and then blowing out the lowly Philadelphia 76ers on the road on Wednesday.

Though Atlanta is tied for third place, they are just two games ahead of the seventh-place Pacers in the still-jumbled Eastern Conference standings.

They've yet to play in Atlanta this year, but the Pacers already boast two wins over the Hawks at home (they also won in Indianapolis on Dec. 28), so a win on Friday would clinch the regular season series against the Hawks. That could prove important in possible tiebreakers for playoff seeding at the end of the season.

George Hill

Monta Ellis

Paul George

Myles Turner

Jordan Hill

Jeff Teague

Kyle Korver

Kent Bazemore

Paul Millsap

Al Horford

Pacers: PG - George Hill, SG - Monta Ellis, SF - Paul George, PF - Myles Turner, C - Jordan Hill
Hawks: PG - Jeff Teague, SG - Kyle Korver, SF - Kent Bazemore, PF - Paul Millsap, C - Al Horford

Pacers: Ian Mahinmi - questionable (sore lower back), Rodney Stuckey - out (right foot sprain and bone bruise)

Hawks: TBD

January 28, 2016: Myles Turner moved into the starting lineup and lifted the Pacers to a 111-92 win over the Hawks. The rookie finished with 20 points on 9-of-17 shooting and six rebounds in the victory, which snapped Indiana's three-game losing streak.

While the Pacers' youngest player got all the headlines, the team's oldest player shared the spotlight. Monta Ellis was excellent on both ends, tallying a game-high 25 points, five rebounds, six assists, and five steals. The 11-year NBA veteran was 7-for-11 from the field and 5-for-7 from 3-point range.

"Monta was spectacular tonight," Vogel said. "He's felt a little better, a little healthier that last four, five games."

Former Pike High School star Jeff Teague led Atlanta with 20 points and five assists. Horford added 14 points in the loss.

TV: FOX Sports Indiana - Chris Denari (play-by-play), Quinn Buckner (analyst), Jeremiah Johnson (sideline reporter/host)
ESPN - Announcers TBA
Radio: 93.5 FM/AM 1070 The Fan - Mark Boyle (play-by-play), Pat Boylan (studio host)

The Pacers return to Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Saturday, Feb. 6 to host Andre Drummond and the Pistons. Find Tickets »

Select Pacers Crew Neck Sweatshirts - $20. Game Night Specials can be purchased online the day of each away game from 10:00 AM - Midnight. Order Online »