2014 Playoffs 1st Round - (1)Indiana vs. (8)Atlanta

[buzzy]

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[CameronCrazy06]

Think this is a bad matchup for Indiana. In regular season games Roy Hibbert was forced off the floor because he couldn't guard ATL's smaller bigs. If he's rendered useless and Indiana goes small I wouldn't be surprised if this was a competitive series. I still have Indiana winning though.,

 

[Pugz]

indy haulted at the wrong time, theyre still worn down. atlanta can push the pace too much for them. atlanta in six is my guess but i also wouldn't be surprised to see indy win in five.

 

[elcheato]

Hibbert is clearly worn down. Paul George just wasn't as good as he was playing in Novemeber/December.
 
His percentages are pretty much the same from last years. Is getting to the line more and taking more threes and still hitting at the same percentage, so there is improvement.
 
I've got Pacers in a sweep, bounced in second round.

 

[buzzy]

I think this shit is going long. Pacers in 7 is my pick.

 

[Rios15]

ATL winning this series would be a great underdog story. Season series is tied 2-2 so I doubt it'll be easy for Indiana

 

[jonathanlambert33]

Hibbert is clearly worn down. Paul George just wasn't as good as he was playing in Novemeber/December.
 
His percentages are pretty much the same from last years. Is getting to the line more and taking more threes and still hitting at the same percentage, so there is improvement.
 
I've got Pacers in a sweep, bounced in second round.

George has never been this "go to guy" like a LeBron, Durant, or Melo. Not sure why he ever got that distinction. He's a guy you have to create looks for, get the offense moving for him. He shot 37.7% in iso situations which is about 8-10% worse than Durant and LeBron and 5% worse than Melo.

As far as the series, I'll give the edge to Indy. I think there are some things that Atlanta likes to do that Indy should be able to control, such as drive and kick beyond the 3pt line to spot up shooters. I also think it will be interesting to see if Atlanta changes up their PnR strategy any, because Indy should be able to take advantage of them there as well. I'll go Indy in 6.

 

[elcheato]

Pacers aren't playing great, 9-13 in their last 22 (dates back to the beginning of a 4 game losing streak. Hawks are 11-11 in that same stretch, which includes a 1-7 run at the end of March.
 
Even with the Pacers recent tumble, that defense is still tough, especially if you have to see it in a multi-game series.

 

[Mexi]

Took pacers in 5, but didnt realize the history of the two teams

Atl believes and with indy struggling, who knows

Still, ill keep pacers in 5

 

[buzzy]

This is a rematch of last year by the way, I'm sure everybody forgot that. Pacers won that series in 6.

 

[elcheato]

Well, the Hawks happen to be without Al Horford this time

 

[buzzy]

But with Paul Millsap.

 

[RipCity32]

Indy in 6. Atlanta will make it a series but I can't see Indiana losing first round.

 

[CameronCrazy06]

But with Paul Millsap.

And no Josh Smith but that might be a plus...

 

[elcheato]

They've had a huge drop off defensively this year, and Josh Smith was the only major causality from the team. Speaks volumes.

 

[buzzy]

Pero Antic though.

 

[Teagz]

Indy in 6.

The Hawks can take a game or two but I don't think the Pacers get bounced in the 1st.

 

[jonathanlambert33]

Pacers aren't playing great, 9-13 in their last 22 (dates back to the beginning of a 4 game losing streak. Hawks are 11-11 in that same stretch, which includes a 1-7 run at the end of March.
 
Even with the Pacers recent tumble, that defense is still tough, especially if you have to see it in a multi-game series.

Of the 16 playoff teams, only Dallas has been worse defensively since the All-Star break.

 

[elcheato]

I was talking in general. They didn't forget how to play defense.

 

[Thomas-Panda-Saxby]

Pacers in 5.

Series could go to 7, but I don't Pacers will allow it.

Are the Hawks still without Al Horford?