A Quick Look at the Pacers-Hawks Game 5 Matchup at the Half

The Indiana Pacers made it their goal to capture the No. 1 seed in the regular season. They wanted home court advantage, badly.

Why?

Indiana felt that with home court advantage it could finally dispose of the Miami Heat once the two teams met in this year’s Eastern Conference Finals.

Here’s the problem: The Pacers actually have to make it there.

After imploding midway through the regular season, the Pacers have yet to get back on track — even in the playoffs.

Indiana’s struggle with its matchup with the Atlanta Hawks in Round 1 of the Eastern Conference is evidence that the squad’s definitely NOT in the right frame of mind.

The series is knotted at 2-2.

Game 5 is another indication that the Pacers’ woes are still very much alive.

Here’s the deal at the half:

First half stats (ATL 61, IND 40): Shooting: ATL 66%, IND 43% Rebounds: ATL 22, IND 12 Turnovers: ATL 9, IND 6 Fastbreak Pts: ATL 12, IND 2

— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) April 29, 2014

Halftime at @TheFieldhouse: Hawks 61 #Pacers 40 Paul George: 12pts/4rebs   George Hill: 12pts/4asts

— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) April 29, 2014

Pacers have been outscored 28-6 here in the 2nd. Atlanta is shooting 90% in the quarter, compared to Indiana's 25%.

— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) April 29, 2014

Sharing the ball in the 1st qtr, the #Pacers had 8 assists on 9 FGs. Indiana starts the 2nd with Watson, Hill, Turner, Scola and Mahinmi.

— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) April 29, 2014