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ESPN.com Hawk/Pacers Preview


The Atlanta Hawks can take a big step toward clinching their first playoff berth in nine years by knocking the Indiana Pacers out of contention with a win at Conseco Fieldhouse on Tuesday.


Even with a victory, Atlanta still will have to wait until at least Wednesday to officially begin celebrating.

The Hawks (36-41) have a three-game lead over the Pacers (33-44) for the Eastern Conference's final playoff spot, and a four-game lead over the 10th-place New Jersey Nets. All three teams have five games remaining.

Atlanta comes in having won six of its last seven and 10 of 13, including a 92-85 victory at Philadelphia on Saturday.

%22These guys are growing up and they're playing for something,%22 Atlanta coach Mike Woodson said. %22I'm so proud of the guys.%22

Woodson must be proud of his very young starting frontcourt.

Rookie center Al Horford has scored in double figures in six straight games, averaging 14.5 points and 8.8 rebounds while shooting 56.5 percent from the field. Marvin Williams, who turns 22 in June, has averaged 18.2 points in his last five games, shooting 63.5 percent from the floor and 25-for-29 (86.2 percent) at the free-throw line. Josh Smith, 22, is averaging 20.0 points and 8.8 boards in the last four games.

%22We're a young team, but we play with poise,%22 said Johnson, averaging 26.1 points in his last 19 games. %22Mike (Bibby) and I are the only guys who have been to the playoffs, but the young guys are stepping up. I'm having a great time.%22

The Pacers are 19-19 at home this season. They've won three straight and eight of nine at Conseco since March 2, and are 12-2 at home against the Hawks since the 2000-01 season.


Today's Audio Selection


Right Click and open the following link in a new window and minimize before continuing



Gentlemen Once again It's time to hit the Welcome Center





Because your Atlanta Hawks are visiting the Great State of Indiana!





Get here and get here early because there's plenty to see!


Indiana is on the cutting edge of the Tech Sector





Indiana affords the perfect background for the U.S. Marine Corps Special Ops Training School





Stay away from those Bars - A Hot Chick Indiana Style!





Be careful to avoid those downtown Indianapolis traffic jams





And if you have to use the restroom you better stop here because it's the only place you'll find indoor plumbing in Indianapolis!





And while the Brains may have left the building the games go on....





Fresh off the injury list tonight... the King of Corn.... Superfly on the bench





Trivia Question: What does 19.7 million get you in Indy?

Answer: 37 Games 14.6 pts and 6.9 reb


Now that's what I call Value!


JO's spent so much time in the trainer's room he's on Hollywood payrolls as a Medical Consultant





Look dude I hate to break it to you but there was only one way you were making the playoffs this year Jermaine





Breaking news!


Live from Channel 8 ----


ANOTHER INDIANA PACER HAS JUST BEEN ARRESTED!





General Woodson our spies have unearthed some valuable information!





It seems we have intercepted Indiana's Game Plan!





Armed now with this knowledge can the General make the necessary adjustments?





Gentlemen Just as it seemed all was lost





When we thought this man was a total Moron





As we had conceded our Fearless Leader was done





Hope arrived!





The Hawks are 7-3 over their last 10 and have a winning record since acquiring Bibby


With a win against Indy the Hawks will have this thing wrapped up


NBA Playoff Picture


Have you bought your playoff tickets yet?









You're damn straight I did!


Hawks fans....










Viva la Hawks!







.

Classic man. I miss rise up! Damn Cavs! Get Fired Up ( too bad we arent the damn heat). Just get us a victory.

Good to have your gamethreads back.

The Pacers are a pretty soft team and they don't really put much pressure on the point guard when bringing the ball up the court like Philly does. Hopefully Bibby won't have those dumb turnovers where they take the ball from him or when he just falls down this game. The Hawks will probably win if they can match the Pacers 3 point shooting.

Too many game threads, confused, goodbye cruel world.

Hilarious!

Good to have you back.

Repost from previous thread:

Quick analysis: I think our starting 5 is light years better than theirs. I think they have a lot more depth in the frontcourt so it might be necessary to come out and jump on them early with our athleticism. I'd like to see Joe murder Dunleavy on offense, I'd like to see us start the game with Marv on Murphy (he isn't that much of a post-up threat) and Josh on Granger (if he can show the sort of tenacity early that he showed late against Bosh, I think we can stall their offense from the get go), and I'd really like to see us run early against a sort of unathletic starting 5.

I can't be too sure about a road game because we are an awful road team and we just played a tough team. Lets hope the guys can bring it. Go Hawks.

Watching Memphis choke last night gave me a bad feeling. The Hawks have been blowing big leads all year and now they have a big lead, 3 games with 5 to play.

I would like to feel confident but.....

INDY does scare me more than the Sixers..... cause the Pacers can hit 3s, and are actually above average behind the arch. and Foster and JO can grab their share of rebounds.

Pacers do not have a good record, but the match ups are not totally in the Hawks favor.

Joe is not going to be able to post up Granger, and we all know what Crawford and Miller (and even Mason in the WAS game) did to Bibby, and now Murray and Daniels are up next. i see an advantage with Marvin and Dunleavy but the Hawks rarely exploite those match ups.

I still worry about the Pacers going wild from 3 pt range. Marvin will have to stick on Dunleavy. If he wanders off him as he sometimes does Dunleavy will make him pay. I think the key is stick to your man and force Indiana to beat you off the dribble. I just don't think they have the athleticism to do it.

As for a big lead, better to have the 3 game lead to defend than only be up by hair and have real pressure on the guys. On the bright side their tough games are still on the road (Philly and Washington) and ours are at Philips (Boston and Orlando).