The fourth quarter defends Hawks again in a 125-113 defeat to the Pacers

After a horrific performance Friday night against the San Antonio Spurs, the Atlanta Hawks went back into action on Saturday and hosted the Indiana Pacers. During a three-quarter term, the Falcons performed at a much higher level. Towards the end, however, Atlanta melted and lost with a final score of 125-113, falling for the sixth time in seven games.

The start of the game was offensively a bit sloppy on both sides, including three quick turnovers for the Hawks. Atlanta withstood the storm, largely thanks to the good passing of Trae Young and others, and the Hawks took a 13-12 lead with the first exit.

The rest of the quarter has now been disputed, including a piece at the end of the period when Atlanta’s bank faltered slightly. Even though the Falcons were left with one point after 12 minutes and they produced 11 assistants in the opening period?

In fact, the Hawks helped their first 13 field goals until Kevin Huerter made an impressive play of the dribble to beat Doug McDermott early in the second period.

However, the Atlanta defense could not stop, and the Pacers took control as a result. Indiana scored 19 points in the first 4:30 of the second quarter to extend their advantage, even though the Falcons produced highlights that included a massive Cam Reddish dunk.

Atlanta tied up a 14-5 pressure to climb back within one, but Indiana responded after a timeout with seven straight points of their own. The Falcons were able to stabilize from there, but came into the locker room with only a four-point deficit at 62-58.

Defense was a problem in the first half, especially since the Pacers committed only three times in the first 24 minutes. On the offensive side, Atlanta was balanced, with seven players scoring six points or more, and the Hawks provided 21 assistants, which was a season-high for any half in 2020-21.

The Hawks put on the roll in the third quarter, with a 7-2 run – concluded by a three-pointer by Kevin Huerter – to take a 1-point lead.

Young was masterful in the third quarter, scoring with the help of assist goals and effectively penetrating the Indiana defense. His offensive performance was the central impetus in an extended 24-12 run by the Hawks, with Atlanta leading by eight points.

Things stalled from there, as the Hawks struggled when Young rested late in the third quarter. Still, Atlanta managed to maintain the lead and lead by three points in the final period.

The Hawks led by as many as nine points in the fourth quarter and when Reddish led 6:29, Atlanta led 103-101. From that point on, the home team collapsed.

The Pacers climbed to a 17-2 run, and they couldn’t stop while the offense splashed ugly.

When the dust settled, the Falcons fell with a final score of 125-113, losing the fourth quarter 41-26. The Pacers put up 12-out-17 shots, including 4-out-6 from three-pointers in the final period, while the Hawks shot just 9-out-24 in the final 12 minutes.

Three members of the Hawks separately doubled. Young scored 15 points and dished out 14 assistants, though he did not attempt a single triangle. Capela finished with 24 points and 10 rebounds, with Huerter adding 10 points and 10 assists.

Atlanta produced a season-high 35 assists, and from a full-game standpoint, the team’s offensive output was enough to win. Defensively, however, the Hawks allowed the Pacers to score more than 1.25 points per possession, and Indiana finished with a 51/39/85 shooting streak in this game.

The Hawks will now travel to New York to face the Knicks Monday night in Madison Square Garden.

Stay tuned.