When the Atlanta Hawks clashed with the Indiana Pacers in their recent encounter, the scoreboard operator found themselves working overtime.
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When the Atlanta Hawks clashed with the Indiana Pacers in their recent encounter, the scoreboard operator found themselves working overtime. The teams collectively scored 309 points during the game on November 21 in Atlanta, with the Pacers securing a 157-152 victory. This remarkable performance marked only the 12th occurrence of a 300-point regulation game in NBA history.
Anticipating Friday’s showdown in Indianapolis, there’s every indication that we can expect another display of offensive brilliance. Indiana, leading the league with an impressive 126.9 points per game, exhibits no signs of deceleration, especially with their standout player, Tyrese Haliburton, taking a prominent role in their dynamic performance.
Extending the Pacers’ ongoing five-game winning streak, Haliburton elevated his exceptional season on Wednesday by recording 31 points, 11 assists, and maintaining a flawless turnover count in Indiana’s 142-130 triumph against the Milwaukee Bucks. This victory marked the Pacers’ second consecutive win over their Central Division rival.
For the Pacers, Nembhard is questionable for the game due to a back injury. As for the Hawks, Gueye (back injury) and Hunter (knee injury) will be sitting this one out. Besides, Krejci could also be unavailable for the game due to illness.
Having already faced Milwaukee in four out of five games this season, it’s a notable departure from the period between February 2019 and January 2023 when the Pacers struggled, losing 14 out of 15 matchups against the Bucks.
Now, Haliburton and the Pacers turn their focus to the Hawks, a team that shares numerous similarities with Indiana.
In the scoring department, Indiana claims the top spot, while Atlanta secures the third position. However, both teams grapple with defensive challenges. The Pacers permit an average of 124.6 points per game, ranking second-highest in the NBA, closely trailed by the Hawks at 123.2 points per game, marking the third-highest in the league.
Adding to the intrigue, these teams are guided by star players who prominently occupy the NBA’s assists leaderboard.
Haliburton commands the lead among all players, averaging an impressive 12.7 assists per game. Meanwhile, Atlanta’s Trae Young closely follows with 11.3 assists per contest, securing the second spot in the league.
Young’s exceptional performance in distributing the ball persisted in Wednesday’s 141-138 triumph over the Oklahoma City Thunder. The seasoned sixth-year point guard concluded the game with 11 assists, marking his tenth instance of achieving double-digit assists in the last 11 games.
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