The Pacers led 81-70 at the end of the third quarter.
"When I look at the stat sheet, the most glaring thing is the free throws," Atlanta coach Larry Drew said. "We fouled way too much. From the game plan and game strategy, I thought we tried to execute the game plan, but we put them on the free throw line too many times."
Indiana was 31 of 40 from the line. Still, Atlanta went 23 of 28.
Teague dunked off a steal at the start of the fourth quarter and George answered with a 3 to extend the lead again and Mike Scott scored on a putback to make it 84-76.
Later, Stephenson hit a 3 to give the Pacers an 89-78 lead with 9:20 left in the game.
After the Hawks jumped out to a 7-3 lead, the Pacers scored the next eight points.
Hibbert scored in the paint and later hit a jumper. Then when George missed a jumper, Hibbert grabbed the rebound and passed it under the basket to George, who scored on a reverse dunk to give the Pacers the 11-7 lead with 6:56 left in the first quarter.
Kyle Korver's 3 gave the Hawks a 43-31 lead with 5:15 left in the second quarter.
The Pacers then went on a 13-2 run. Stephenson scored a layup and later a 3, and Hill made two free throws and a jumper. Stephenson scored two more free throws to pull Indiana to 45-44 with 2:48 left in the second quarter.
Later, Hill made 1 of 2 from the line to tie the score at 47. The Hawks missed a shot and then George hit a 3 to give the Pacers a 50-47 lead with 1:10 left in the first half.
The Pacers led 50-49 at halftime.
NOTES: Teague returned to his hometown where he graduated from Pike High School in Indianapolis. ... Korver tied Clifford Robinson for 33rd on the league's all-time 3-pointers made list after going 2 of 9 against the Pacers. ... West tied his career-high with five steals.
Next Story