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Pacers crush Hawks in Game 7, advance to Eastern Conference semifinals

Pat Lovell / USA TODAY Sports

The Indiana Pacers awoke from their prolonged slump to defeat the Atlanta Hawks, 92-80, in Game 7.

The Pacers benefited from center Roy Hibbert's best game of the series as the slumping big broke out of his funk with 13 points, seven rebounds and five blocks. Prior to Saturday's game, Hibbert averaged just 4.0 points and 3.2 rebounds per game.

Star Performer

Pacers forward Paul George continued his dominance with a 30 point, 11 rebound, three assist effort to lead his team to victory. George scored six points in quick succession to start the fourth quarter which helped Indiana boost its lead well into the double digits. 

George's effort made Pacers' history, an impressive feat given the Pacers' illustrious history.

Turning Point

The vaunted Pacers defense tightened up midway through the second quarter, and held the Hawks off the scoreboard for a five minute stretch while they built their lead. The Hawks did not sink a single field goal in nine straight attempts to end the first half.

The Pacers opted to pack the paint which forced the Hawks into launching an NBA-record 44 three-point attempts on the game. However, the Pacers' perimeter players also did their due diligence by closing out on shooters, which culminated in the Hawks shooting just 11-for-44 from distance. Overall, the Hawks shot just 30.4 percent from the field - the third lowest mark for a team in Game 7 during the shot-clock era.

Highlight Reel

Slam Dunk Champion Paul George:

Ian Mahinmi is much larger than Jeff Teague

"Prance" Stevenson

BONUS: Pacers fan videobombs Larry Legend

[courtesy: TNT]

Quote of the Night

Series at a Glance

Game 1: ATL 101, IND 93 (Hawks lead 1-0)
Game 2: IND 101, ATL 85 (Series tied 1-1)
Game 3: ATL 98, IND 85 (Hawks lead 2-1)
Game 4: IND 91, ATL 88 (Series tied 2-2)
Game 5: ATL 107, IND 97 (Hawks lead 3-2)
Game 6: IND 95, ATL 88 (Series tied 3-3)
Game 7: IND 92, ATL 80 (Pacers win 4-3)

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