The first round of the NBA Playoffs continue today and we will see the Indiana Pacers take on the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena in Atlanta. The game is scheduled for a 7:35 pm (Eastern) start time and will be televised on NBATv. Currently the Odds for the game have Atlanta favored by 2 points while the total sits at 186.
Analysis: The Indiana Pacers had a shot to take a commanding three game lead over the Hawks, but Indiana just didn’t have it on Saturday, and now Monday’s game turns into a very important game for the Pacers, as they try to keep the Hawks from evening things up. Indiana did not show up for Game 3, making just 4-of-25 threes and getting outscored 50-30 in the paint. The team also had more than twice as many turnovers (22) as assists (10). The Pacers did rebound well though, holding a 52-48 advantage on the glass with 17 offensive rebounds. One players whose shot was falling in Game 3 was PF David West, who scored 18 points (7-of-14 FG) and grabbed six rebounds. After dominating in Games 1 and 2 with 21.5 PPG and 8.5 RPG, SF Paul George came back to earth with a 4-of-11 shooting game on Saturday, in which he finished with 16 points and nine rebounds . Outside of West and George, the team struggled severely. Their starting backcourt of PG George Hill and SG Lance Stephenson was a combined 2-for-15 from the field and 1-8 from three-point range. The Pacers also did not get much production from their bench that got 10 of its 20 points from SF Gerald Green, who made just 4-of-12 shots (2-of-8 threes).
The Hawks looked like a team ready to be swept after Games 1 and 2, but on their own home court they were able to turn this series around. After a small lineup change that found C Johan Petro in the starting lineup and Josh Smith at small forward, Atlanta dominated the Pacers and won Game 3 by a final score of 90-69, holding them to a 27.2% shooting night from the field. That gives the Hawks 12 straight home wins in this series, as they are 10-2 ATS versus Indiana during this seven-year dominance. Just like in the regular season, the Hawks played their best at Philips Arena, and they did so behind the superb play of C Al Horford, who was too much in the post for the Hawks last game with 26 points (12-of-20 FG) and 16 rebounds. SF Josh Smith also showed up to play in this game, finishing with 14 points, six rebounds, six assists and 3 steals.PG Jeff Teague shot poorly (4-of-15 FG), but still contributed heavily with 13 points, six rebounds, five assists and two steals.
Pick: I like the Under in this game. Despite winning the last game by 21 points, the Hawks scored just 90 points in that game and that means they have now scored just 93 ppg in the last 4 in this series and they have scored just 93.2 ppg in their last 5 games overall. Indiana has scored just 92.8 ppg in their last 5 games overall and they average just 91.2 ppg in the road. Atlanta got back into the series by playing tough defense in a slower paced game. They have struggled some on defense at home, but the Pacers can't score on the road. Indiana allows just 91.5 ppg on the road and their defense will step it up once again in this one. I look for a slower paced game again as this one struggles to hit 180 points.
-$25 of picks FREE! No Obligation - No Credit Card Required - Becoming a member is Fast and Free!
March Marco Contest is back. FREE to Enter!!! CLICK TO ENTER
Stay on top of the latest odds and line moves for NBA Season with our real-time odds from Las Vegas and offshore!
Pregame.com Webinar: Tips on Betting Basketball w/ Greg Shaker
Join us as Johnny Detroit walks you through the betting totals in basketball with "totals expert" Greg Shaker!