Pacers vs Hawks series thread

[DirtybirdGA]

[Saturday, April 19
7:00 PM EDT ESPN
Series tied 0-0(8) Atlanta @ (1) Indiana TixYahoo Calendar

Tuesday, April 22
7:00 PM EDT TNT
Series tied 0-0(8) Atlanta @ (1) Indiana TixYahoo Calendar

Thursday, April 24
7:00 PM EDT NBATV
Series tied 0-0(1) Indiana @ (8) Atlanta TixYahoo Calendar

Saturday, April 26
2:00 PM EDT TNT
Series tied 0-0(1) Indiana @ (8) Atlanta TixYahoo Calendar

Monday, April 28
8:00 PM EDT NBATV
Series tied 0-0(8) Atlanta @ (1) Indiana TixYahoo Calendar

Thursday, May 1
TBA
Series tied 0-0(1) Indiana @ (8) Atlanta TixYahoo Calendar

Saturday, May 3
TBA TNT
Series tied 0-0(8) Atlanta @ (1) Indiana TixYahoo Calendar

[HMFFL]

Indiana is favored to win game one by eight points.

[Jamaaliver]

What the pundits are saying:

The Pick
Pacers in five.Indiana won't take Atlanta lightly considering its recent struggles and tough matchups in the past. The Hawks are likely to win a game in Atlanta, where they've dominated the Pacers in recent years, but Paul George and Co. will be looking to make a statement early and prove they're capable of holding up their end of the bargain of a conference finals rematch.
Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/nba/ne ... z2zGdHbpxr

Prediction: I'm going to go out on a decent-sized limb and assume the Pacers figure things out at the expense of the Hawks. It's not that I'm dismissing the Hawks as much as I'm trusting the Pacers will be what they're supposed to be.

Pacers in four.

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on-basketball/24531323/nba-playoffs-first-round-preview-eastern-conference

No. 8 Atlanta vs. No. 1 Indiana, Game 1 – Saturday, 7:05 p.m. ET, ESPN
Game 1 line: Pacers -7.5, Total: 186
Series price: Hawks +450, Pacers -600
Prediction: Pacers in 7 (barely)

This will be a closer series than most expect – the Hawks have played Pacers tough in all four meetings this season, beating them twice, including a 107-88 blowout in Indianapolis earlier this month. The Pacers have won and covered three of four since then, including at home vs. the Thunder. Atlanta, though, is playing its best ball of the season, winning four of its last five and covering all five. Solid defense has led to five of the Hawks’ last six staying UNDER

http://linemakers.sportingnews.com/nba/2014-04-17/Nba-playoff-odds-picks-predictions-series-prices-game-1-spreads-betting-lines

[ATL Boy]

Taking the 1 seed to the brink or a series win is just what this team needs to rejuvenate Basketball in Atlanta, and also to get the attention of Free Agents.

[EuroPacer]

Looking forward to this series fellas. I don't think it will be a walkover by any means, our last confrontation at BLF is still far to fresh in my mind...

I do think we will take it, but it will be a good hard-fought play-off series. Enjoy it!

[ATL Boy]

Looking forward to this series fellas. I don't think it will be a walkover by any means, our last confrontation at BLF is still far to fresh in my mind...

I do think we will take it, but it will be a good hard-fought play-off series. Enjoy it!

Likewise my friend. Best of luck to both teams.

[Jamaaliver]

Sounds like Roy and the Pacers coaching staff have been preparing just for the Antic-Hibbert matchup:

He's been something of a nightmare for Pacers 7-2 center Roy Hibbert, who has been forced to guard Antic on the perimeter instead of Hibbert's preferred spot near the basket. Antic is understandably a big part of the scouting report for Indiana as it prepares to open its Eastern Conference quarterfinal series against the Hawks at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Saturday night.

"He's just one of those players that when you watch him play against us, the numbers really don't make sense," Pacers coach Frank Vogel said. "These type of guys are the toughest challenge for Roy, but he's done it (before). He's guarded a lot of 3-point shooters this year. ... He's seen this situation a number of times. We've worked on a lot of coverages to minimize the damage."

Hibbert acknowledged that guarding Antic is different from the challenge he faces in most games. "When you're guarding a big that can shoot 3s, it's obviously a different feel," Hibbert said. "But we have time to prepare for it."

http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nba/pacers/2014/04/17/pacers-preparing-challenging-roy-hibbert-pero-antic-matchup/7844461/

It'll be very interesting to see what they come up with...

[Jamaaliver]

Joe Johnson just dropped 24 points on 13 shots as Brooklyn snatched HomeCourt away from the Raptors.

Man I miss having that one guy who, when hot, could take over a game. His contract is horrid, but a 6' 8" do-it-all SG would be really helpful for us right now.

I can't wait for the (inevitable?) Brooklyn-MIA series in the 2nd round. Who knew Jason Kidd would be this effective as a coach?

[Jake0890]

Good luck you guys. We've always had trouble in Atlanta, and I don't think that'll change this time around. We'll have trouble beating you guys on the road, and I don't have any doubt Jeff Teague and Kyle Korver will light us up as always.

Hoping for a fun series.

[Jake0890]

Here we go...

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[azuresou1]

Predicting we win this one 102-91

[Rip2137]

I love having a player willing to call West on his fake tough guy act. No back down in Pero.

[Truthiracy]

Go ATL!

[PandaKidd]

Go hawks lots of heart

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[azuresou1]

Loving this game so far

[ATL Boy]

LET'S GOOOOOO!!!

[Jamaaliver]

Well, butter my butt and call me a biscuit!!!!

What a fantastic 3rd quarter. Just walked in and am pleasantly surprised!

[VinBaker6]

On the hawks bandwagon! I called you guys would win in 6. I'm thinking 5.

[ATLHawksfan21]

Can I say I told you so? Irving who? Thanks for the hudson recommendation Panda.

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[ATLHawksfan21]

I love having a player willing to call West on his fake tough guy act. No back down in Pero.

Reminds me of zaza and kg in that first playoff celtics

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