Indiana Pacers game preview: Pacers conclude road trip in Atlanta against Hawks
The Indiana Pacers and Atlanta Hawks will battle for the final time of the 2022-23 season on Saturday. The Hawks have not played since Wednesday while the Pacers played in Boston last night.
Atlanta is 4-6 in its last 10 games and hired a new head coach, Quin Snyder, just under one month ago. Indiana, meanwhile, is 5-5 in their last 10 outings. Both teams are in the mix for play-in positioning with less than 10 games to go.
Viewing and Betting Information
Tip off time: 5 p.m. Eastern Time
Location: State Farm Arena, Atlanta, Georgia
Where to watch: NBA League Pass, Bally Sports Indiana/Bally Sports+, Bally Sports Southeast
Spread and Over/Under: The Pacers are heavy underdogs as they are +8.5 in the SI Sportsbook. The over/under for the game is 241.5.
Pacers vs Hawks Injury Report
The Pacers played last night, so they have not yet released an injury report. Chris Duarte and Kendall Brown were out for Indiana in Boston last night while Tyrese Haliburton returned from injury. Two-way contract guard Trevelin Queen is with the Pacers G League affiliate team, the Fort Wayne Mad Ants.
For the Hawks, Da'Andre Hunter and Trae Young are questionable. Jalen Johnson, Tyrese Martin, and Donovan Williams are out.
Key Matchups
Tyrese Haliburton vs Trae Young: Two offensively gifted guards will square off as Tyrese Haliburton and Trae Young could line up across from each other if Haliburton is able to play. The Pacers guard had 20 points in his return from injury on Friday.
Young is averaging 26.8 points and 10.0 assists per game this season. The two-time All-Star is Atlanta's engine, and whoever wins the point guard matchup will give their team a big advantage on Saturday.
Aaron Nesmith vs John Collins: John Collins is having a down year statistically, but he is the type of player that the Pacers struggle with. He has size at the forward spot, is athletic, and can be a threat from anywhere on the court. He had 26 points and 10 rebounds against the Pacers in December.
Aaron Nesmith has started at power forward for the Pacers, so he will get some reps attempting to slow Collins. He will need to be on his A-game on both ends to keep this matchup, and the game, close.
- Indiana Pacers two-way players Trevelin Queen and Kendall Brown are developing in the G League this season. CLICK HERE.
- Indiana Pacers officially acquire a first-round draft pick from Boston as the Celtics clinch a playoff berth. CLICK HERE.
- Indiana Pacers make NBA history as three Canadian players start together for the first time ever. CLICK HERE.
- What would the play-in tournament mean for the Indiana Pacers? 'That's everyone in this locker room's goal.' CLICK HERE.
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