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COLUMN: Matchups to watch in the Indiana Pacers first-round series against the Atlanta Hawks
The Indiana Pacers (49-32) clinched the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference for the second-straight year and finished with the top-ranked defense in the NBA.
After last season's Eastern semifinals loss, the players have been looking forward to a potential rematch with the Miami Heat all season long. But they're eight wins away from getting that chance.
First up are the Atlanta Hawks (44-38), a team the Pacers finished 2-2 against during the regular season.
Here's a look at the matchups that will be key to this first-round series:
Point guard
George Hill v Jeff Teague
Advantage: Pacers
Hill hasn't had quite the year the Pacers hoped for when they decided to keep him over Darren Collison last offseason, but he's not been a disappointment, either. Hill is an above-average shooter and an average defender.
He's not especially tall (6-2), but Teague (6-2, 180) doesn't have the size or strength to really exploit it. Teague is probably a little bit better at commanding an offense, but his best skill -- getting to the rim -- will be cancelled out by the presence of Roy Hibbert.
Shooting guard
Lance Stephenson v Devin Harris
Advantage: None
Stephenson has been incredible all season. Since he entered the starting lineup in game No. 7, he hasn't returned to the bench. But his best skill -- being a shut-down defender -- is mostly wasted on Harris, a former All Star who has been slightly worse than mediocre for the last three years. Harris probably won't do much, but Stephenson is usually the fifth option on offense, so he probably won't either.*
(*note: I'm cheating a little bit with this matchup. Hawks coach Larry Drew changes his starting lineup more on a night-to-night basis than just about any other coach in the league, usually based on the opponent is doing. Kyle Korver, DeShawn Stevenson or Dahntay Jones might very well start instead.)
Small forward
Paul George v Josh Smith
Advantage: Hawks
This one is interesting. George made his first All Star Game appearance this season, but he faded a little down the stretch. The last time these two teams played, Smith exploited George in the post. The Pacers' forward almost always has an athletic advantage, but not here.
While Smith is inconsistent in his decision making, and while the Hawks are inconsistent in their decision to give him the ball in the post, Smith should still make enough plays cancel George's talent out.
Power forward
David West v Al Horford
Advantage: Hawks
West is a great player and a great leader for the Pacers. He's the first to take blame after a loss and a vocal presence on the court. But Horford is an unbelievable talent. He might be the Hawks' second-best ball handler, and he has spent most of his career as a center. Luckily for the Pacers, they have another post player to help out.
Center
Roy Hibbert v Johan Petro
Advantage: Pacers
With Zaza Pachulia sidelined, it's been stiff-by-committee for the Hawks. I have no idea who the Hawks will start at center, but Petro was decent (8 ppg, 7 rpg) in the seven games he started at the position this year. Hibbert has struggled at times with offense, but his defense is among the best in the league and nobody on the Hawks will be an issue.
Hibbert should be able to abandon his matchup and help wherever needed, which will just about cancel out every other advantage the Hawks have. Teague likes to drive, and Hibbert likes to stop him.
When Smith gets the ball in the post, Petro is usually far away, and that makes it tough for Hibbert to help, but it remains to be seen how much the Hawks will exploit that advantage.
(UPDATE) The Hawks are starting Kyle Korver at small forward, Josh Smith at power forward and Al Horford at center, because the Hawks prefer to not take advantage of their strengths)