Granger’s 34 Helps Pacers Shoot Down Hawks 113-96

Posted by Stephen Rhodes under NBA Game Recap

For about 2 1/2 weeks, the Atlanta Hawks were the talk of the NBA; their mix of youthful talent and veterans helped the team fly to a 6-0 start. Against the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday, Danny Granger gave yet another reason why he should be at the NBA All-Star Game as he scored 34 points, leading Indiana to the easy 113-96 win over Atlanta at Conseco Fieldhouse. The loss is the Hawks’ 4th in a row.

The Pacers, with a 32-25 lead going into the second quarter, opened up a 61-46 advantage on Rasho Nesterovic’s 3-point play with 51 seconds left in the half and were led by Granger’s 17 points whiler shooting 58% from the floor. However, the Hawks cut the Pacers’ lead to 9 in the third quarter but Indiana’s Jarrett Jack ended the third frame with a layup, giving the Pacers an 88-73 edge.

Atlanta cut Indiana’s lead to 95-88 following Joe Johnson’s trey and Acie Law’s layup with 8 minutes left in the game, but the Pacers answered back with baskets by Marquis Daniels and Granger to put the game out of reach. Indiana’s high scorer was the aforementioned Granger with 34 points (including 4 treys), 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and 3 blocked shots while Nesterovic added a season-high 21 with 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals and 3 blocked shots; Troy Murphy added a double-double, scoring 10 with 19 rebounds, 4 assists and a steal.

Atlanta was led by Johnson with 25 points (including 5 three-pointers), 7 rebounds, 2 assists, a steal and a blocked shot while Marvin Williams added 14 with 4 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal. Indiana (5-5) plays again on Friday when they host the Orlando Magic while Atlanta (6-4) returns home for a 2-game homestand when they host the Washington Wizards Wednesday night.

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