Game Rewind: Pacers 107, Hawks 89

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Game Rewind (Preseason): Pacers 107, Hawks 89

The Pacers' plan all along was to treat the final two preseason games as if they were regular season contests. Tuesday night, they were in Atlanta and faced a different team (with a different coach) than they finished off in the first round of last season's playoffs. The Pacers recovered from a poor opening quarter and outplayed the Hawks over the final three in a 107-89 victory.

The Pacers did it without Danny Granger, who’s still dealing with a left calf strain and was ruled out for the week.

After going in front 5-0, the Pacers turned the ball over frequently – seven times in the quarter – and were outscored by the Hawks in a 17-3 run. The Pacers made just 29 percent of their field goals and their deficit was nine at the end of the first. As it was discovered later, this period was just an aberration.

David West led the Pacers in what was an efficient second quarter. West, who scored 12 of his 15 first-half points in this quarter, tied the game at 30 and then helped them take a 46-41 lead into the break. In contrast to the first stanza, the Pacers made 55% of their attempts and had just two giveaways in the second and they forced nine turnovers from the Hawks.

West's strong play continued after intermission. He scored nine points on 4-of-7 shooting in the quarter. Paul George one-upped him with 11 points, including five free throws, and three rebounds. Indy native and Hawks point guard, Jeff Teague, scored 11 of his 17 in the third. But with 29 points in the quarter, the Pacers went ahead by double digits and led 75-64 with 12 minutes to go.

Indiana’s lead continue to swell to as many as 23 in the final quarter. Luis Scola got it going and easily had his best game as a Pacers player. He was 8-for-10 and scored 16 of his 20 points during a stretch of nine minutes. The Pacers have now strung together back-to-back wins and close out their preseason slate on Friday in Dallas.

David West scored a game-high 24 points and he grabbed seven rebounds in 27 minutes. Paul George had 17 and C.J. Watson, who was 3-for-4, added 11.

The Hawks had five players in double figures. Teague and Mike Scott each scored 17, while both Al Horford and DeMarree Carroll had 12.

The Pacers’ reserves were superb and outscored the Hawks’ bench, 50-28.

The Pacers forced the Hawks into 20 turnovers, from which they converted into 22 points.

“I think today and the last game, we are kind of showing the reality. … This is much more of what I saw from last year and what I believe this team was capable of doing.” – Luis Scola

“Our bench really stepped up and took control of the game. David West was also sensational throughout the night. I was really pleased with Lance Stephenson facilitating the ball with eight assists and no turnovers. I don’t really have words for what Luis Scola did out there tonight. Some guys have stuff you can’t teach and Luis has that feel for the game and exhibited that in the fourth quarter. We were a little out of rhythm in the first quarter, but we stayed with it.” – Frank Vogel

The Pacers turned in their best shooting performance of the preseason. They connected on 53 percent of their shots and were 6-for-12 from 3-point range. At the foul line, they were 19-of-22 (86 percent).

Friday, Oct. 25 at Dallas (final preseason game) – 8:30 p.m. EST.

The Pacers kick off the NBA's regular season by hosting the Orlando Magic at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Tuesday, Oct. 29 at 7:00 PM. A few tickets still remain for Opening Night presented by Kroger, but time is running out to be a part of this special event. Find Opening Night Tickets »

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