Atlanta Hawks vs. Indiana Pacers NBA Playoffs Game 5 will begin today at 5 p.m. PT/8 p.m. ET on Monday, April 28, 2014. The No. 8 seed Hawks will be visiting No. 1 seed Pacers at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. Information on how to watch the Hawks vs. Pacers Game 5 live stream free online can be found below.
The Pacers evened out the series 2-2 with the win on Saturday, alleviating the heightened tension of Playoffs upsets, but their coach Frank Vogel did not let his players lose the tension.
"Look, this team won two of the last three games we've played in this building and they beat us pretty good," he said less than a day after Indiana won the second game, according to NBA.com. "So we have to stay hungry."
The Hawks' spread offense and an array of 3-point shooters have jeopardized Pacers' biggest advantage - its size and skills in the paint. To combat this, Vogel put out a smaller lineups and had All-Star starter Paul George, one of league's top wing defender, to slow down Hawks point guard Jeff Teague.
Going into Game 3, Pacers dominated in Game 2's third quarter, stifling the criticisms of their faltering in the last seven weeks of regular season. But Atlanta continued their offensive over Indiana's defenses and won with 98-85.
Sports analysts say that Pacers' center Roy Hibbert was responsible for the loss as he scored only 18 points on 7-of-25 shooting in the series. The coach may end up putting forward Luis Scola, who scored 37 points in the last two games, in Game 4.
"It's a difficult lineup for me," Hibbert said, according to NBA.com. "I'm not used to it. It takes me out of position to protect the paint and to get rebounds in the paint and contest shots."
Hibbert said he assumes that he will be starting in Game 4, but wants what's best for his team.
"I'll do whatever Coach feels is necessary to win," he said, the NBA.com reported.
In Game 2, the Hawks beat Pacers relatively easily with 101-93, and built an 11-point lead in the first half on Tuesday night. However, Pacers turned their pace and outscored the Hawks 52-27 into the third quarter.
The Pacers won at least 55 games in the season and allowed 96.8 per 100 possessions, but their last six week's defense performance have left some doubting whether they can defeat the Hawks in the first round and the Miami Heat with home-court advantage.
The Hawks, on the other hand, have a strong offensive team. Paul Millsap has averaged 17.9 points and 8.5 rebounds a game and has his career-best 3.1 assists a game. Kyle Korver broke an NBA record after hitting a 3-pointer in 127 consecutive games, beating the old record of 89 set by Dana Barros. Meanwhile, Pero Antic has played exceptional ball when filling in for Horford who had been sidelined for injuries.
Hawks' flagship radio station is 92.9 "The Game" (WZGC FM), and the team's radio network affiliate can be found here. Online radio stations can be accessed here.
Pacers' flagship radio station is WWL 105.3 and 1070 The Fan, and the team's radio network affiliate can be found here. Online radio stations can be accessed here.
Hawks vs. Pacers Playoffs Game 5 will be televised on NBA TV and SPSO, and online live stream free can be watched by clicking here.
