It will be a critical Game 5 of the best of seven Eastern conference NBA Playoff series when the Atlanta Hawks face the Indiana Pacers in a pro basketball game on Wednesday night. Tip off time from Indiana is set for 8PM Eastern Time with national television coverage provided by NBA TV.
The NBA playoff odds from game five has the home team Indiana Pacers favored by -6 ½ points with an over under line of 188 points. There has been no line movement in this playoff contest since the odds were released a few hours ago.
Both teams won all two home games by double digits in this series. Atlanta evens the mark at 2-2 in this best of seven opening round playoff after a 102-91 home victory in Game four against the Indiana Pacers as a -1 ½ point betting favorite. The game finished over the total of 187 ½ points.
The Hawks went into halftime with a 57-40 lead in victory. They shot 44.6% from the field and made 11 of 24 three pointers. Atlanta survived missing 25 of 38 free throws. Josh Smith led the Hawks with 29 points and 11 rebounds as he made 9 of his 20 shots. Kyle Korver hit on 7 of 11 from the field off the bench to finish with 19 points. The Hawks have been an inconsistent team all year. They shoot well as the average 46.4% from the floor and 37.1% from three. The defense comes and goes. Their inconsistent play has shown up in these playoffs. In the first two games of this series they allow an average of 110 points a game. In game three they allow 69 points and in game four just 91 points.
The Pacers had a poor shooting night as they connect on just 38.1% from the floor and 7 of 23 came from three point distance. They got to the free throw line 25 times and converted on 20 shots. Paul George led Indiana with 21 points and 12 rebounds on 6 of 16 shooting. David West chipped in with 15 points along with six boards as he made 5 of his 14 shots. Indiana has been a stout defensive team by allowing 42% shooting and 32.7% from the three point line ranking number one in the NBA in both key categories. Offensively they rank in the lower third in all three key areas of points per game, field goal and three point shooting accuracy.
