NBA: Hawks out to tame Pacers for second time this season

The Atlanta Hawks will look to continue improving their home performance when they host the Indiana Pacers on Monday.

Atlanta earned a 110-103 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Friday, marking their second straight win. However, the Hawks are just 8-13 at home this season — only two Eastern Conference teams have fewer home wins. Friday’s win also snapped a two-game homecourt losing streak.

“You always want to play well at home,” Atlanta coach Quin Snyder said. “To be able to come out and win in front of our own crowd is really important. People could feel the way our team competed on the defensive end late. That’s what won the game.”

The Pacers surprised the Oklahoma City Thunder with a 117-114 win on Friday, ending a three-game losing streak. Jarace Walker started his 14th game of the season and scored a career-high 26 points, shooting 8-for-15, along with four rebounds, three assists, and two steals.

“This was an enormous moment for him in his young career,” Indiana coach Rick Carlisle said. “He showed everything he can do out there — from shooting and driving to defense, rebounding, and passing.”

The win was especially meaningful for Carlisle, as the team continues to struggle without Tyrese Haliburton. Haliburton has missed the entire season after suffering a torn right Achilles in Game 7 of the NBA Finals. The Pacers currently hold the second-worst record in the East.

“Very happy for the guys,” Carlisle said. “It’s been a difficult year, but it’s also been a fun year. Competing with these guys is fun, and we’re going to keep that attitude.”

Veteran Pascal Siakam leads the Pacers with 23.8 points per game and averages 6.9 rebounds. Bennedict Mathurin contributes 17.8 points per game.

Despite committing 21 turnovers that led to 30 points for Phoenix, the Hawks still managed to secure the win. Nine of those turnovers occurred in the third quarter, when Atlanta lost an 11-point lead.

“We had poor spacing and were playing in the crowd,” Snyder said. “We didn’t pass, and when we did, we made bad passes. We didn’t have ball security and we didn’t focus on the little things that allow us to move the ball and keep it from sticking.”

Atlanta forward Jalen Johnson, who averages 23.2 points, 10.5 rebounds, and eight assists, recorded his 30th double-double. He finished with 23 points and 18 rebounds and fell one assist short of his eighth triple-double. Nickeil Alexander-Walker averages 20.3 points, while newly acquired CJ McCollum averages 17.3 points in seven games since joining the Hawks.

The Pacers played Friday without Mathurin (right thumb sprain) and Quinton Jackson (right ankle sprain). Jackson could return on Monday after missing one game. Atlanta also played without Kristaps Porzingis (left Achilles) and Zaccharie Risacher (left knee bone contusion). Risacher is being re-evaluated and is close to returning after missing eight games.

This will be the second of three meetings between the teams this season. Atlanta won the first matchup 128-108 on Oct. 31 in Indianapolis, led by Johnson’s 22 points, 13 rebounds, and eight assists.

— Field Level Media/Reuters