Official Game Thread: Hawks at Pacers: The Season Finale!

[lethalweapon3]

Just a tad bit early for that, don’cha think, PG?

 

It really wasn’t supposed to end this way for Jeff Teague and his Indiana Pacers. Traded to his hometown last June, the former Atlanta Hawks point guard and star of the 2014 Eastern Conference semifinal series was determined to show the league – and his former neophyte backup, Dennis Schröder – that he could team up with All-Star cornerstone Paul George and guide this team to a strong regular season finish, a trip to the postseason, and maybe a whole lot more.

That scenario may still come to pass. But for any of that story to be told, Jeff and his Pacers must rise to the challenge against his former team, tonight, in a virtual must-win regular season finale (8:00 PM Eastern, Fox Sports Southeast and 92.9 FM in ATL, Fox Sports Indiana, ESPN elsewhere). Having finalized playoff seeding last night, Schröder will join four other Hawks (Paul Millsap, Dwight Howard, Kent Bazemore, Junior Hardaway) on towel-waving and shot-mimicking duties from the sideline.

Without this victory, Indiana would need both Miami and Chicago to lose their home games (in the Bulls’ case, against Brooklyn) to secure a Reservation for 15 in the NBA Playoffs. Without this win, Teague risks having to watch Schröder and Utah’s George Hill, the latter part of last summer’s 3-team trade deal, from the comfort of his mother’s basement couch.

Out of the gate, Jeff certainly struggled in his new role under coach Nate McMillan, but managed to shake out of his doldrums midway through the season, especially as a passer (career-high 7.8 APG, 7^th in NBA; 8.6 APG through 5 games this month).

But predictably, under McMillan’s watch, Indy has failed to exploit perhaps Teague’s greatest asset – quickness – to its advantage (98.2 possessions per-48, 18^th in NBA). This, despite the unbridled athleticism and versatility of George (career-best 23.6 PPG, 46.0 FG%, and 89.8 FT%), center Myles Turner’s high-post passing skills, and Thaddeus Young’s newfound ability (38.1 3FG%, despite a nagging wrist injury) to stretch the floor with his jumpshot. McMillan was too often enamored with plodding big men (Kevin Seraphin, Lavoy Allen, Al Jefferson) and ball-stopping, clock-killing guards (Monta Ellis, recently-waived Rodney Stuckey, Aaron Brooks) sharing the floor.

Collectively, even with George’s firepower, the Pacers have been mediocre in just about every category, save for getting steals (7^th in NBA) and blocking shots (8^th in NBA), and that’s reflective of their modest 41-40 record. The things Indiana can do fairly well, they don’t do enough. They rank fourth in NBA three-point accuracy, but 27^th in three-point shot volume; second in free-throw percentage, but 24^th in free throw attempts.

To be fair, Coach Nate has been playing the hand he was dealt by longtime executive Larry Bird, who has worn out his welcome just about everywhere outside of French Lick. But McMillan and the Pacers are only beginning to sort things out, and it may turn out to be too late for this season.

With Teague an unrestricted free agent in July, and with George likely to opt out the following summer, there could be a ton of uncertainty in Pacerland going forward, especially if this team fails to reach the postseason and win some games once they get there. Questions abound: Hoosier GM? Hoosier coach? Hoosier point guard? Hoosier superstar?

With all the pressure, how has George been holding up lately? Just fine. As in, he just wants the league to fine him. Getting no whistles in his game-long jousting with Gerald Henderson, until both players were ejected with minutes to spare during the Pacers’ 120-111 win in Philadelphia on Monday, George just let the refs have it afterwards. “You all know how I feel about the officials,” George seethed, “and tonight, I really have no faith in them… (Crappy) officiating job.” That will cost him a cool 25 thousand smacks.

The costly consternation still isn’t enough to eclipse the reigning Eastern Conference Player of the Week’s ability to carry this team on his back offensively. Averaging 33.0 PPG this month, PG-13 helped pace Indiana with 17 first-quarter points in Philly. As noted by SB Nation’s Indy Cornrows, a full third of the seventh-year Pacer’s 35+-point scoring games have come since the All-Star Break alone.

Now eighth in NBA-career scoring among Pacers, surpassing our dear friend Billy Knight, George is no longer the inefficient volume-shooter from seasons past. The franchise player, and the franchise itself, are each motivated by him piling up the points at the close of the season. Due to the Designated Player Exception rules in the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, some All-NBA hardware could sweeten the pot (by $70 million more dollars, as per USA Today) for Indiana to retain him in 2018. That alone could cover a lot of future fines.

The Hawks are fully aware of George’s scoring prowess, as all his 34 points came during the first three quarters in Atlanta on March 5, helping convert the Hawks’ early 13-point lead into an 11-point deficit midway through the third quarter. But the likelihood of victory improves for Indy when they balance their scoring across the floor. The Pacers are 5-2 on the season when three players score at least 20 points, and 17-5 when six players score in double figures.

Atlanta got their sole late-November victory on this Bankers Life Fieldhouse floor, holding George to 6-for-22 shooting (2-for-11 3FGs) and four free throws, while containing Teague and everyone aside from Ellis and Young to 10-for-33 FGs. In that game, Howard (9 O-Rebs) created the second-chance opportunities for Atlanta that the Pacers could not, so much will be expected of Turner (12 points and 14 rebounds total in two games vs. ATL; 18 points, 13 boards @ PHI) tonight, while Dwight rests.

Can Lance help the Pacers dance? Almost out of desperation, the Pacers’ brass returned Lance Stephenson to the team where he built his ear-blowing rep, and he has sparked not only the fanbase, but his team as a ballhandler (3.8 APG off the bench) and even as an end-of-shot-clock gunner (5-for-7 3FGs through 5 games). The Pacers’ 4-1 run since Stephenson’s return (their sole loss 135-130 in Cleveland) has set them up well for today’s finale. Whatever Lance does on behalf of the Pacers tonight, good or bad, will at least be interesting.

It’s unlikely the Hawks will have to account for Glenn Robinson III sitting in the corner this time around. With Big Daddy Dog proudly looking on, GR3 pulled out a three-point plum off the dish from the more-dangerous C.J. Miles (career-high 41.3 3FG%) at the buzzer, sealing Atlanta’s fate in the 97-96 defeat last month despite George being held scoreless in the fourth quarter. But Robinson’s sore calf will have him watching the final game from the sidelines, along with Jefferson (ankle sprain) and probably Brooks (sore knee).

Last night’s 103-76 fumigation of the Hornets’ skeleton crew was as re-assuring as home finales go for Atlanta. But for the Pacers, the game tape they’d be wise to review is the short-winged Hawks’ 114-100 stunner in Cleveland last week.

Even ignoring Hardaway, that game’s top scorer, Atlanta got meaningful contributions from Jose Calderon, Junior Dunleavy, Ersan Ilyasova, and Kris Humphries, upending King James on his court in what was another essential game for the home team. That quartet of Hawks should start tonight. Rookies Taurean Prince and DeAndre’ Bembry will each have their chances to keep George contained, with Mike Budenholzer including a rust-shedding appearance or two from Thabo Sefolosha for good measure.

“We’re ready to come out and do whatever it takes to get this win,” George recently told ESPN Radio (1070 The Fan). “It would be a shame, especially with how we’re playing of late. It seems we’re figuring it out, we know what level we need to play at on a consistent basis and it would be a shame to throw it all away and not get this win.”

Even with a pared-down roster, and with their opponents playing as full-bore as possible, tonight effectively serves as Elimination Game Practice for the Hawks (43-38). There is no pressure for its participants, other than to play hard, play smart, play well, and stay healthy.

At worst, a loss tonight might scooch the team’s draft spot up ahead of Portland (Memphis’ pick), while re-confirming the indubitable genius and clairvoyance of Hotlanta, the sole Squawker who predicted 43 wins this season. But if Atlanta’s second- and third-strings can pull off another confidence-building upset, this time before a national audience, it could bode well for a team that, knock on wood, might find itself in a similar circumstance a couple weeks from now. Namely, in the District of Columbia, for Game 5 and/or Game 7.

Let’s Go Hawks!

~lw3

 

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[Bankingitbig]

Will DeAndre Bembry finally hit his first NBA career three pointer in the last game of his rookie season? He is 0-16 from three this year. I would be chucking from three if I were him. Can't end your rookie season without a single three made.

[lethalweapon3]

I'll try, C-Viv, I'll try!

~lw3

[Thomas]

14 hours ago, lethalweapon3 said:

To be fair, Coach Nate has been playing the hand he was dealt by longtime executive Larry Bird, who has worn out his welcome just about everywhere outside of French Lick. But McMillan and the Pacers are only beginning to sort things out, and it may turn out to be too late for this season.

To be fair Vogel should still be there. Nate has been biting for so long. Bird blew it. Vogel's horrific stats, oh my. Bare in mind Paul George missed 76 games in 2014-15 and they still fought hard for a berth though falling short.

[hide]Team	Year	G	W	L	W–L%	Finish	PG	PW	PL	PW–L%	Result
Indiana	2010–11	38	20	18	.526	2nd in Central	5	1	4	.200	Lost in First Round
Indiana	2011–12	66	42	24	.636	2nd in Central	11	6	5	.545	Lost in Conf. Semifinals
Indiana	2012–13	81	49	32	.605	1st in Central	19	11	8	.579	Lost in Conf. Finals
Indiana	2013–14	82	56	26	.683	1st in Central	19	10	9	.526	Lost in Conf. Finals
Indiana	2014–15	82	38	44	.463	3rd in Central	—	—	—	—	Missed Playoffs
Indiana	2015–16	82	45	37	.549	2nd in Central	7	3	4	.429	Lost in First Round
Career		431	250	181	.580		61	31	30	.508

 

[Thomas]

7 minutes ago, lethalweapon3 said:

I'll try, C-Viv, I'll try!

~lw3

Calderon, Sefolosha, Prince, Ilyasova and Humphries

A Pop's kind of backup lineup there. Pretty global and all.

[Lurker]

Starting Sefolosha would make sense. Let him play 20 mins max, than bubble wrap him.

[Dnice]

Oh well, forgot ESPN had this, but prince gets the nod for the social media promo.

[Guest]

Awesome threads you provided for us all year lw3!!! Your work is unparallel. Also think Vogel should still be the coach of the Pacers, or at least not the Supersonics greatest 6th man ever. Loved the part about Teague watching from his mom's basement couch..:-)

 

A part of me wants Teague to get in and wreck havoc. I will be rooting against the Cavs and Celts so why not a friendly face in Teague as one of the assassins.

 

REST EVERYBODY but PLAY HARD...

 

GO HAWKS!!!

 

Teague>>>>>Horford 

 

Pacers>Celts

 

Leave with some class Boss!

[DJlaysitup]

Great stuff as usual lw3 - Go 2nd Team !!!

[Guest]

The only consistent thing in an up and down, jekyll and hyde, hit or miss season were @lethalweapon3 game threads.

Thank you!!!

[Guest]

2 hours ago, Bankingitbig said:

Will DeAndre Bembry finally hit his first NBA career three pointer in the last game of his rookie season? He is 0-16 from three this year. I would be chucking from three if I were him. Can't end your rookie season without a single three made.

@Bankingitbig Bembry has his 3.

[AUhawksfan]

4 minutes ago, JayBirdHawk said:

@Bankingitbig Bembry has his 3.

Beat me to it!  He must be reading the Squawk or something.  Right on cue. 

[DJlaysitup]

Lw3...I covered for you on "sip alerts" in the chat tonight for Bud's Presser.

Just so you know - Bud didn't really say much - he said some stuff about defense as usual and then was asked about Moose and other players.  Honestly, it was a short presser and it was difficult for me to get in three "sips" before it was over.

GO HAWKS!!

[Lurker]

I get to miss at least the first half-three quarters of game 1 of the playoffs which is just lovely. I will be on the road on Sunday and while I may get to listen to some of it, I'm going to spend at least an hour, minimum in the dark on the highway.

That worked out well last year, though.

Edited April 13, 2017 by Lurker

[Guest]

Time to destroy the Wiz! 

[Guest]

The enemy in Hawk gear...a classic that keeps on giving!

[Peoriabird]

I am ready to drop Thabo from the rotation.  His offense is just too much of a liability for the Hawks and even his defense is not that exceptional now to compensate.  It's time to move on to Dunlevey with Bembry mix in when more defense is needed.

[Thomas]

1 hour ago, Peoriabird said:

It's time to move on to Dunlevey with Bembry mix in when more defense is needed.

From what we witnessed against the Cavs thinking it would be nice to see Bembry get most of the backup minutes at sf. At the very least you get defense, rebounding and non wreckless passing.

[macdaddy]

3 hours ago, Peoriabird said:

I am ready to drop Thabo from the rotation.  His offense is just too much of a liability for the Hawks and even his defense is not exceptional that now to compensate. 

I feel like I made this same post in mid December.   Hopefully Bud sees now that not only is the above true but Thabo is way to rusty to get big minutes.   Without a big time scorer, every player on the floor has to be some kind of offensive threat.