Indiana PacersOpen full analysis
Atlanta HawksOpen full analysis
The Atlanta Hawks defeated the Indiana Pacers 132–116 on January 26 at State Farm Arena, controlling the matchup with balanced scoring and efficient perimeter shooting. C. McCollum led Atlanta with 23 points while D. Daniels added 22, as the Hawks shot 50 percent from the field and made 18 three-pointers to overwhelm Indiana's defense. Atlanta's offensive rating of 119.5 proved decisive against Indiana's 102.7, fueled by 35 assists and 11 steals that forced the Pacers into 16 turnovers. The game fell well short of the 234.5 Vegas total, with the Hawks' fourth-quarter explosion—37 points—sealing the result after the Pacers managed just 24 in the final frame. P. Siakam paced Indiana with 26 points and A. Nesmith chipped in 18, but the Pacers' 46.2 percent shooting and only 10 three-pointers proved insufficient against Atlanta's depth. The Hawks' defensive rating of 102.7 combined with their rebounding advantage (46–42) established control throughout. Atlanta's second-half dominance, particularly the fourth-quarter surge, underscores their ability to pull away against Eastern Conference competition.
