Indiana @ Atlanta preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 29, 2019 ) Atlanta 104, Indiana 105

Malcolm Brogdon continues evolving into a standout player and the Indiana Pacers continue evolving into a winning team entering Friday’s road contest at the Atlanta Hawks. Two nights after losing in Los Angeles to the Clippers the Pacers rebounded on Wednesday, beating Boston 112-117 as Brogdon scored a team-high 29 points with eight assists and finished a perfect 15-for-15 from the free-throw line to help Indiana win for the seventh time in its past 10 games.

Brogdon leads the Pacers in scoring at 19.5 points – averaging 23.5 points on 51.3 percent shooting from the field and 46.2 percent from 3-point range in his past three games – while ranking eighth in the NBA entering Thursday in assists (7.5). “One of our problems all season has been closing out these games against elite teams,” Brogdon told reporters after Indiana rallied from 10 points down to beat the Celtics. “We were able to do that, so it will definitely help our confidence.” Atlanta had no chance Wednesday in Chicago, giving up 70 second-half points in a 136-102 defeat at Chicago one night after blowing a late six-point lead before losing in overtime at Miami. Trae Young scored 15 points with 13 assists for the Hawks, who have dropped 13 of their past 15 games.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FS Indiana, FS Southeast (Atlanta)

ABOUT THE PACERS (16-9): Domantas Sabonis entered Thursday fourth in the NBA in rebounding average (13.5), and is averaging 18.9 points on 50.9 percent shooting. Aaron Holiday scored 18 points off the bench Wednesday, his brother Justin Holiday added 17 points off the bench, and the two combined for 20 of Indiana’s 38 points in the fourth quarter. Brogdon leads the NBA in free-throw shooting at 94.6 percent and set career highs in free throws made and attempted against Boston.

ABOUT THE HAWKS (6-19): Young began Thursday fourth in the league in scoring (27.9 points) and assists (8.6), and has eight double-doubles and one triple-double in 24 games. Rookie De’Andre Hunter is averaging 12.5 points while shooting 36.7 percent from 3-point range and averaged 15.2 points in his previous 15 games before being held to six points Wednesday. Atlanta is 28th in the NBA in points allowed per game at 118.8.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Atlanta is 4-16 since F John Collins was suspended for violating the league’s anti-drug program.

2. Indiana set season highs for free throws made (30) and attempted (36) Wednesday.

3. The Pacers beat the Hawks 105-104 on Nov. 29 at home, and have won six in a row and 10 of their past 11 against Atlanta.

PREDICTION: Pacers 118, Hawks 107