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Hawks hope to end modest slide vs. Pacers



The Atlanta Hawks will try to end a two-game losing streak on Tuesday night when they host the Indiana Pacers. The Pacers, in turn, have lost their past three games and have started to move players before the league’s trade deadline on Thursday.

The Pacers already are a different team since trading guard Caris LeVert to Cleveland over the weekend. LeVert, who scored 42 points against Chicago on Feb. 4, leaves an 18.7-points-per-game hole in the Indiana lineup. The Pacers received a first-round pick, two second-round selections and guard Ricky Rubio for LeVert.

The Pacers are 17 games under .500. They remain without point guard Malcolm Brogdon, who is questionable with right Achilles soreness. He has not played since Jan. 19. Brogdon posted 27 points and nine assists in the first Pacers-Hawks meeting this season.

Atlanta faltered late on the road on Sunday and lost 103-94 to Dallas. The Hawks struggled from long range, going 5-for-25, including an 0-for-6 effort from Trae Young. Atlanta has made only 25.9 percent of 3-pointers (14-for-54) over the past two games.

Atlanta has won eight of its last 11 games and currently holds the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Coach Nate McMillan viewed Sunday’s loss as “a missed opportunity.”

Atlanta forward John Collins has shaken off a pair of injuries and put together two consecutive strong games. He had a sore shoulder against Toronto and produced 23 points, and he played through right-heel discomfort against Dallas and came up with 22 points and a season-high 18 rebounds.

It is uncertain whether Atlanta will make a move before the trade deadline. The Hawks sent former first-round pick Cam Reddish to the New York Knicks last month.

Tuesday’s game will mark the second of four meetings between Atlanta and Indiana this season. The Hawks won the first game 114-111 on Dec. 1 in Indianapolis.