After a horrible performance on Friday night against the San Antonio Spurs, the Atlanta Hawks returned to action on Saturday, hosting the Indiana Pacers. For more than three quarters, the Hawks have far outperformed. In the final stretch, however, Atlanta melted and lost by the final score of 125-113, falling for the sixth time in seven games.
The start of the game was a little sloppy on both sides offensively, including three quick twists for the Hawks. Atlanta weathered that storm, thanks in large part to quality passes from Trae Young and others, and the Hawks achieved a 13-12 lead in the first half.
The rest of the quarter was heavily contested, including a stretch at the end of the period when the Atlanta bank fluctuated slightly. Altogether, the Hawks lost by one point in the 12th minute, generating 11 assists in the first period.
In fact, the Hawks helped with their first 13 field goals until Kevin Huerter made an impressive dribble to knock Doug McDermott onto a tray early in the second period.
Atlanta’s defense was unable to produce stops, however, the Pacers took control as a result. Indiana scored 19 points in the first 4:30 of the second quarter to extend their lead, even though the Hawks featured highlights that included a massive dunk by Cam Reddish.
Atlanta made a 14-5 push to get back in one, but after a timeout, Indiana responded with seven consecutive points. The Hawks managed to stabilize from there, however, entering the locker room with a disadvantage of just four points in 62-58.
The defense was a problem in the first half, mainly because the Pacers committed only three turns in the first 24 minutes. On the offensive side, Atlanta was balanced, with seven players scoring six points or more, and the Hawks generated 21 assists, which represented a season high for any semester in 2020-21.
The Hawks rolled in the third quarter, using a 7-2 run – culminating in Kevin Huerter’s three-point basket – to take the lead by 1 point.
Young was masterful in the third quarter, accumulating assists and penetrating Indiana’s defense effectively. His offensive display was the central impetus in a prolonged 24-12 race for the Hawks, with Atlanta taking an eight point lead.
Things stopped a little from there, as the Hawks fought when Young was resting at the end of the third quarter. Even so, Atlanta managed to maintain the lead, taking a three-point lead in the closing period.
The Hawks led by up to nine points in the fourth period, and when Reddish hit three points with 6:29 left, Atlanta led by a 103-101 margin. From that point on, the home team collapsed.
The Pacers fired for a 17-2 run, failing to stop while the attack crackled ugly.
After the Hawks went up 2 with 6:29 remaining, here’s what offensively happened:
Cam lost three
Collins lost 8 feet
Chapel makes jumper
Young turnover
Young turnover
Gallinari lost three
Huerter lost three
Blocked young shot
Gallinari lost three– Brad Rowland (@BTRowland) February 14, 2021
When the dust settled, the Hawks fell by a final score of 125-113, losing the fourth period by a margin of 41-26. The Pacers converted 12 of 17 shots, including 4 of 6 in the three-point streak in the final period, with the Hawks shooting just 9 of 24 in the last 12 minutes.
Individually, three Hawks members spawned doubles. Young scored 15 points and made 14 assists, although he did not attempt a single three-point basket. Capela ended with 24 points and 10 rebounds, with Huerter adding 10 points and 10 assists.
Atlanta produced 35 assists, the record of the season, and, from the point of view of the complete game, the team’s offensive capacity was sufficient to win. Defensively, however, the Hawks allowed the Pacers to score more than 1.25 points for possession, and Indiana finished with a 51/39/85 pitch line in this game.
The Hawks now travel to New York to face the Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Monday night.
Stay tuned.