Last Updated: April 10 at 12:30 PM ET
Matchup
When the Pacers take the floor for their final game of the 2018-19 regular season, it could be a new-look lineup.
Following Indiana's 108-96 loss to the Nets on Sunday, coupled with Boston's loss to Orlando, the Pacers became locked into the fifth seed where they will face the fourth-seeded Celtics.
Due to the matchup being set in stone, the Pacers (47-34) are in a position to give rest to players dealing with bumps and bruises accumulated over the 82-game season when they face the Hawks (29-52).
Bojan Bogdanovic, Thaddeus Young, and Cory Joseph have played all 81 games entering Wednesday's finale, and figure to be likely candidates to rest.
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The final stretch of the Pacers' season hasn't gone the way they intended, with losses in nine of their last 12 games. The late-season skid has placed the Pacers at 47 wins, one shy of last year's total.
Atlanta entered the season as a candidate to have one of the NBA's worst records, but strong rookie seasons from Trae Young and Kevin Huerter, as well as an impressive sophomore campaign for forward John Collins has lifted the Hawks to a surprising 29 wins.
While Luka Doncic appears poised to capture Rookie of the Year, Young has averaged 19.1 points, eight assists, and 3.7 rebounds per game this season. During their memorable four-OT game against the Bulls, Young posted an eye-popping box score of 49 points, 16 assists, and eight rebounds.
Projected Starters
Darren Collison
Tyreke Evans
Doug McDermott
TJ Leaf
Kyle O'Quinn
Trae Young
Kevin Huerter
Taurean Prince
John Collins
Alex Len
Pacers: PG - Darren Collison, SG - Tyreke Evans, SF - Doug McDermott, PF - TJ Leaf, C - Kyle O'Quinn
Hawks: PG - Trae Young, SG - Kevin Huerter, SF - Taurean Prince, PF - John Collins, C - Alex Len
Injury Report
Pacers: Bojan Bogdanovic - out (sore left hand), Wesley Matthews - out (sore right toe), Victor Oladipo - out (right knee surgery), Domantas Sabonis - out (sore left ankle), Myles Turner - out (sore right ankle), Thaddeus Young - out (sore right hand)
Hawks: Dewayne Dedmon - TBD (left ankle soreness), Miles Plumlee - TBD (cartilage injury), Alex Poythress - TBD (right ankle sprain), Omari Spellman - TBD (left ankle sprain)
Last Meeting
December 31, 2018: In their final game of 2018, the Pacers were able to put away the Atlanta Hawks at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, winning 116-108.
"We had a good 2018," Pacers coach Nate McMillan said after the win. "We want 2019 to be just as good as 2018 has been to us. We've played some good basketball. One of our goals is to win 10+ games each month."
Victor Oladipo led six Pacers players in double figures on Monday afternoon. The 6-4 guard racked up 22 points on 9-of-19 shooting to go along with four rebounds, seven assists, and four steals.
Rookie Kevin Huerter led the Hawks with a career-best 22 points while going 6-for-9 from 3-point range. John Collins added 22 points and 16 rebounds, while Alex Len finished with 19 points and seven boards.
Noteworthy
- The Hawks lead the all-time series with Indiana, 101-89, but the Pacers have won four straight against Atlanta.
- Atlanta forward Miles Plumlee is from Fort Wayne, Indiana.
- A Pacers victory would match last year's total of 48 wins.
Tickets
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Broadcast Information TV & Radio Listings »
TV: FOX Sports Indiana - Chris Denari (play-by-play), Quinn Buckner (analyst), Jeremiah Johnson (sideline reporter/host)
Radio: 107.5 FM/1070 AM The Fan - Mark Boyle (play-by-play), Slick Leonard (analyst), Pat Boylan (studio host)