Pacers Vs. Hawks: Atlanta Snaps Skid With 97-87 Win Over Indiana

The Atlanta Hawks grabbed a much needed win defeating the Indiana Pacers 97-87 to snap a three-game losing streak. The Hawks salvaged a game on their current four-game home stand after a solid first quarter gave them the early lead.

Atlanta led 32-21 after one quarter of play and extended that lead to as many as 21 points. Another third quarter swoon by the Hawks enabled the Pacers to hang around but Josh Smith and Joe Johnson never would allow them to fully threaten in the game.

Smith stuffed the stat sheet with 28 points, 12 rebounds, three assists, five steals and three blocks. He hit on 11-17 shot attempts and was 4-6 from the free throw line. Joe Johnson got off to a hot start and then cooled but still finished with 20 points, six rebounds and a team-high eight assists. Kirk Hinrich got some early playing time thanks to foul trouble by Jeff Teague and responded with his best game of the season scoring 17 points off the bench. Tracy McGrady was also a major factor off the bench for the Hawks and finished with 13 points.

Indiana struggled to find offense in the first half and by the time they did it was too late. Danny Granger led the Pacers with 21 points while David West and Tyler Hansbrough added 15 points each. Roy Hibbert finished with 10 points and 13 rebounds in the loss.

For more on this game Hawks fans should head over to Peachtree Hoops and Pacers fans should stop by Indy Cornrows. For more NBA news and analysis be sure to check out SB Nation's NBA Basketball page.

The Atlanta Hawks are making up for some difficult times of late running out to a 59-41 lead at halftime. Atlanta came into the game struggling through a three-game home losing streak but have put on a clinic through the first two quarters.

Joe Johnson got the Hawks started off right putting up 16 points, five rebounds and five assists in the first half. Josh Smith added 13 points and five rebounds while Kirk Hinrich added 11 points off the bench hitting 5-6 shots. Atlanta hit over 54 percent of its shots in the first half and recorded 15 assists on 24 made baskets.

David West leads the Pacers with 11 points at the half but it has been a tough go of it for the rest of the Indiana starters. Danny Granger and Paul George both struggled in the first half with Granger scoring seven points on 2-8 shooting and George five points on 1-6. Tyler Hansbrough added six points off the bench for Indiana.

Atlanta's did a good job defensively picking up seven steals in first half that they were able to turn into easy baskets in transition. The Hawks have struggled of late coming out of halftime so the start of the third quarter will be key in securing the victory.

For more on this game Hawks fans should head over to Peachtree Hoops and Pacers fans should stop by Indy Cornrows. For more NBA news and analysis be sure to check out SB Nation's NBA Basketball page.

The Atlanta Hawks are dealing with adversity at a variety of levels this season. Their star center is out for the season, Josh Smith has been Josh Smith, their depth has been hit by injuries and the condensed schedule has made it tough for an altered roster to gel oer the course of the season.

The one consistent has been Joe Johnson and in his 12th NBA season, his statistical averages reflect a player learning to deal with a game that's on the wrong side of 30 and a team that needs him to get over the proverbial hump. Johnson's averages this season of 18.6 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.6 assists reflect a disappointing 2010-11 season, and is a drop-off of five consecutive seasons of 20+ points/game and 5 assists/game that led some to consider him for the MVP.

SB Nation's Tom Ziller recently released his MVP Power Rankings on Wednesday and Joe Johnson was only able to get an honorable mention. Can Johnson regain his top form, or should this serve as notice of what to expect from here on out? We'll see what four years remaining of $88 million can get you.

For more on this game Hawks fans should head over to Peachtree Hoops and Pacers fans should stop by Indy Cornrows. For more NBA news and analysis be sure to check out SB Nation's NBA Basketball page.