The Hawks have been on fire since Joe Johnson came back to the rotation. they will have an excellent chance to carry on their winning run versus a club they have dominated in current years.
the Hawks are trying for their 4th straight win Saturday evening when they host the Pacers, whom Atlanta have defeated in 8 consecutive matchups.
Johnson skipped 9 contests from December 1st to 16th because of surgery on his right elbow anticipated to hold him on the sidelines 4 - 6 weeks. although, Johnson came back nearly 2 weeks earlier than anticipated & has put in 20.5 points since December 17th.
Much like Johnson, who is putting in 28.7 during his previous 3 contests, Atlanta ( 24 - 14 ) appear to be finding their groove.
the Hawks have picked up 8 of 11 since Johnson returned to the lineup & won their 3rd consecutive Wednesday, 110 - 87 versus the Jazz.
Johnson nailed 5 three point shots & completed having twenty-eight points, & Atlanta put in 14 of 25 from beyond the arc. it had been the most three pointers the Hawks hit since making 15 on Novebmer 14th, 2008, during a defeat to the Nets.
Jamal Crawford put in twenty-six points coming off the bench, after up his thirty-one point performance Tuesday versus the Kings. He's putting in 26.8 points & shooting 54.0 % during his previous 4.
Smith puts in 15.8 points on the year, however he surpassed that average in both victories versus Indiana. He put in twenty-five at the Pacers on November 16th, then netted twenty-one on December 11th.
Indiana's problems are more than their problems with the Hawks.
Indiana ( 14 - 19 ) lost a fifteen 3rd quarter edge Friday & put in just 1 of 15 within the 4th quarter during a 90 - 87 defeat to the Spurs. The 1 FG had been the least they have had during a quarter within the previous nineteen years.
the Pacers have dropped 5 of 6, with the only victory in that span coming on their home court December 31st versus Eastern Conference worst the Wizards, which is win-less away from home.
Trying to mixup the rotation, O'Brien gave Tyler Hansbrough his 1st start of the year & just the 2nd of his career. The switch helped Indiana compete with 1 of the best clubs within the League, as Hansbrough establish personal bests of twenty-three points & twelve boards.
Indiana have dropped to Atlanta by an average of 10.1 points within the 8 game slide & the previous 7 meetings in Atlanta by an average of 11.0.
Atlanta have picked up 9 of the previous 10 on their home court within the series.