By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Indiana Pacers made sure they’ll enter the NBA playoffs with ease and avoid the play-in round after taking care of their last regular season game against the Atlanta Hawks, 157-115, on April 15, 2024.
Indiana had to win their game against Atlanta to secure the sixth seed of the Eastern Conference and go straight to the NBA playoffs.
The Pacers kicked off their final regular season game with guns blazing after dropping 49 points in just the first quarter against the Hawks.
With the insane pace they’re playing, the Pacers quickly built momentum off their fast break opportunities to build a 15-point lead heading into the second quarter.
Atlanta slowly regained their shooting rhythm in the second frame after nipping the Pacers by just a point, 38-37, to end the first half with confidence.
However, the Pacers’ crisp attack and high-octane offensive executions rose to the occasion in the third quarter as they outscored the Hawks again to balloon their lead to 32 points.
It was then all Indiana in the final canto as Atlanta waved the white flag early in the fourth, opting to rest their starters in preparation for their play-in clash against the Chicago Bulls on April 18, 2024.
Myles Turner spearheaded Indiana’s attack and top-scored his team with 31 big points built from an efficient 13/17 shooting from the field.
Turner also had an all-around performance for the Pacers after grabbing 12 rebounds while swatting away four shots to tally four blocks.
Pascal Siakam also schooled the Hawks with his 28-point outing while also stuffing the stat sheets with six boards, an assist, and a steal.
Meanwhile, superstar point guard Tyrese Haliburton ended the NBA regular season as the no. 1 assist leader, dropping 13 dimes on the Hawks while also scoring 12 points.
