RealGM

Game Preview: Pacers at Hawks

After splitting a pair of games between two of the NBA’s top teams at home, the Pacers (16-9) travel down south for a one-game road trip against one of the league’s bottom dwellers, the Atlanta Hawks (6-19).

But make no mistake about this game. As Indiana's and Atlanta's most recent battle has shown, this game might turn into a close match...Indiana managed to withstand a sluggish start and a 49-point performance from Trae Young to take home a narrow 105-104 victory in overtime. Young forced the overtime period after connecting on a contested layup with 11.5 seconds remaining in regulation. He had 18 in the fourth quarter alone.

When the Hawks win, they do so convincingly. Though they've won just two out of their last five games, Atlanta won both games by a wide margin. On Dec. 2, the Hawks took home a commanding 104-79 win over the Golden State Warriors. After dropping a game to the Brooklyn Nets, they responded with an impressive 122-107 win over the Charlotte Hornets.

Second year point guard from Oklahoma Trae Young is averaging 27.9 points per game, good enough for fourth-best in the NBA. Also of note, the Hawks' rookie forward from Virginia, De’Andre Hunter, is averaging 12.5 points per game. Hunter has also hit at least one 3-pointer in 16 straight games.

However, while Atlanta may have enough firepower to battle against the upper echelon of NBA teams, they do struggle on the defensive end. The Hawks are giving up 114.8 points per 100 possessions on defense – the second-worst average in the NBA. Through 25 games, they've failed to keep opponents under 100 points all but twice. Most recently, they gave up 136 points to the Chicago Bulls.

On paper, the Blue & Gold’s balanced offensive attack should have a field day against the Hawks. But if Young and company begin to heat up, this game may be closer than Pacers fans would enjoy.