The Indiana Pacers’ implosion during the second half of the season didn’t affect their No. 1 seeding in the NBA Eastern Conference, but it sure seems to be lingering in the first round of the playoffs. Matched up against the No. 8 Atlanta Hawks, the Pacers were expected to struggle more with their own demons than they were with a Hawks team playing without Al Horford. Yet here they are, facing a decisive Game 7 in a game worth watching live. If you can’t catch it on TNT, you can watch Pacers Hawks Game 7 live online free using any number of services.
To their credit, the Indiana Pacers have shown some resilience in the first-round series. Facing elimination in Game 6, David West led a 16-4 Pacers run to end the game, giving the Pacers a 95-88 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday night and forcing another winner-take-all game today.
West scored 12 of his 24 points in fourth quarter to power the Pacers’ late rally in Game 6. He was joined in the fireworks show by Paul George, the Pacers’ best all-around player. Together, the two scored 21 of their combined 31 points in the fourth quarter in Game 6, with their total points accounting for nearly one-third of the entire Pacers point total.
Missing from the mix was center Roy Hibbert. Hibbert’s been missing for the entire first-round series, and has been essentially absent since the All-Star break. When you watch today’s Pacers game things won’t likely be changed.
Hibbert’s regular-season totals were decimated by his post-All-Star-break slump. Incredibly, they’ve gotten even worse as the Pacers’ first-round series against the Atlanta Hawks has gone on. For the season, Hibbert averaged 10.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.2 blocks and 29.7 minutes per game. In this Pacers-Hawks series, Hibbert’s averaging a paltry 4 points, 3.2 rebounds and 0.7 blocks per game, leaving no doubt why he’s only playing 20.3 minutes per game.
That leaves today’s Hawks game a prime opportunity for Paul George to once again pick up the slack. George left the bench in Game 6 during an altercation between teammate George Hill and Hawks forward Mike Scott, leaving his availability for tonight’s Game 7 in doubt. NBA officials ruled that he could play, though, which is good news for the Pacers because they’ll need all the offense they can muster.
Today’s Pacers game will likely see them return to their Game 6 strategy for Game 7. Watch to see if the Pacers once again go with a smaller-than-usual lineup to match-up better with Atlanta shooting 3-pointers. With Hibbert playing limited minutes, look for Ian Mahinmi to play extended minutes again to give the Pacers more mobility and perimeter defense. In Game 6 Atlanta made only 9-of-35 shots from beyond the arc. That outside percentage will be a key stat to watch in today’s Game 7 as well.
If you can’t watch today’s Pacers Hawks game live on TNT, NBA fans who subscribe to TNT in their cable or satellite package can watch NBA games online free via TNT’s live-streaming TNT Overtime service. You can also download the TNT Watch Live app for your tablet or mobile device to watch today’s Pacers Hawks Game 7. In addition, the TNT website often has live streaming NBA games, so check that out as well if you’re looking to watch Pacers Hawks Game 7 live online free. Tipoff for the Pacers – Hawks Game 7 is scheduled for 5:30pm EST / 2:30pm PST.