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INDIANAPOLIS, USA – The Atlanta Hawks surprised the top-seeded Indiana Pacers 101-93 on Saturday (Sunday in the Philippines) in the opening game of their NBA Eastern Conference first-round playoff series.
Atlanta’s Jeff Teague, an Indianapolis native, scored 28 points and handed out 5 assists to lead the Hawks to a victory and a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.
The Pacers-Hawks game showcased two teams trending in opposite directions.
Although Indiana garnered the best regular-season record in the East, they hobbled into the playoffs with a 4-6 record in their final 10 games.
The Hawks, meanwhile, finished the regular season 7-3 to secure the eighth and final playoff berth.
Atlanta seized control with a dominant third quarter, in which they outscored the Pacers 30-16.
Teague had 14 of his game-high 28 points in the third as the Hawks pulled away from a 50-50 halftime tie.
The Hawks opened the third period with an 8-0 scoring run. Teague accounted for nine points in a 14-0 spurt that stretched Atlanta’s lead to 74-58 later in the quarter.
The Pacers struggled on both ends of the court, unable to get stops and shooting just 15-of-41 from the floor in the second half.
Paul Millsap added 25 points for the Hawks, while DeMarre Carroll and Kyle Korver chipped in 12 points apiece.
Paul George had 24 points and 10 rebounds for the Pacers, who got 19 points from Lance Stephenson.
The Pacers will try to bounce back when they host game two.
Elsewhere in the NBA
The other Eastern Conference game on the opening day of the post-season also saw the visitors come out on top.
Paul Pierce found his form in the final minutes, sparking the Brooklyn Nets to a 94-87 victory over the Raptors in Toronto.
Out West, the Golden State Warriors came out with a close win against the Los Angeles Clippers, 109-105.
Oklahoma City Thunder took care of business against the Memphis Grizzles, 100-86, making the Thunder the only higher-seeded team to win in day one of the NBA Playoffs. – Rappler.com
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