Pacers vs Hawks NBA Picks
This year top seeds are getting challenged more than any time in recent memory. Indiana has been pushed to the edge needing to win the final two games of their series to move to the next round…and avoid embarrassment. [ad-4468020]
Indiana Pacers (2-3) vs. Atlanta Hawks (2-3)
Thursday May 1
Philips Arena – Atlanta, GA
7:05PM
Moneyline: Indiana -115, Atlanta -105
Spread: Indiana -1
Total: 187
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Indiana
To do so they are going to have to get the first win on the road.
A place where they have struggled but are 1-1 in this series. If there was ever a time for mental toughness now is it.
At home the Pacers let the game get away from them with a horrific 2nd quarter.
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The fact is they made it respectable by outscoring the Hawks in the 4th. Once again Roy Hibbert was a no-show, failing to register a point or a rebound in 12 minutes of action. You would think when you are as big as he is you would get at least one rebound, even if it was by accident.
Paul George stuffed the staff sheet but it was nowhere near good enough. I am not sure where they turn for G6.
This series has been a tough one to handicap and this elimination may be the toughest one yet as it is really difficult to predict how this Indiana team is going to respond to the situation.
Do they have any pride left?
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Is their coach going to try anything to shake them up or are they going to hope that a light goes on.
Indiana at just -1 looks like great value on the surface my gut says stay away.
Atlanta
It is amazing how things can turn so quickly.
Not that long ago the Hawks were accused of tanking. Now they are looking to punch their ticket to the next round where they would get Washington meaning there will be at least one low seed making it to the conference finals.
I know that might be getting ahead of ourselves but maybe not based on what we have seen from games one through 5.
Atlanta got some surprising contributions from Shelvin Mack and Mike Scott in the G5 victory.
The duo combined for 37 points and Scott really surprised by making 5 of 6 three pointers – he was just a 31% shooter during the regular season.
To close out this series they need to get more from Jeff Teague who has been back and forth between terrific and average in the series.
Normally when a game is a one pointer you can make your choice and feel great about it but that is not the case in this one.
My hope is that the Hawks do win so we can get some interesting values on their next series against the Wizards. For this one I am sitting on the sidelines.
Spread prediction: Indiana -1
Total prediction: Over
Score prediction: Indiana 98 – Atlanta 92
