Indiana Pacers vs Atlanta Hawks Prediction: The teams will reach the total over

Indiana lost their last four regular-season games to Atlanta. The Pacers are more competitive now - can they break their losing streak?

December is not going well for the Pacers. In 14 games, the team suffered five losses and slipped to 9th place in the Eastern Conference. Rick Carlisle is trying to find the optimal solution, and little by little, changes in the rotation: Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, and Jaylen Smith, for example, are getting less playing time, while Aaron Nesmith and Oshay Brissett have won the competition against them. The good thing is that the coach has a choice.

The Pacers' results are not in the least dependent on the play of Tyrese Halliburton. When the team's leader scored 30+ points, Indiana beat Boston and Miami, but the day before, Halliburton failed, and the team lost to New Orleans 93:131.

The Hawks won 3 out of the last four games in the regular season. Atlanta lost to Chicago by only 2 points, but it should be noted that the Bulls were the most severe opponent for the Hawks during the good part of the season. The Bulls aren't in the East's top 10, as are Orlando, Charlotte, and Detroit. The toughest tests are yet to come, and it's a good thing the Hawks' roster situation has more or less improved. Clint Capela could still be replaced somehow, as there's Onyeka Okongwu, and the Swiss big man's absence could be the only serious loss. Dejounte Murray recently returned to form and played in 3 games, while Deandre Hunter's participation is still questionable.

Last regular season game, the team beat Detroit 130:105. Atlanta was trailing for almost the whole first half. Dejounte Murray made a critical save against the Hawks, and Trae Young was more effective than usual this time. The team's leaders each had 26 points. Young also made 13 assists, and the Hawks' combination play was far from being the final factor in their success.

It is hard to say how good Indiana will be in their matchup with Atlanta, but the Pacers have been outstanding on offense lately and struggled to hit many open shots against New Orleans. Atlanta is playing on fire; their offense is good right now, and, more importantly, Trae Young is more efficient than he has been all season. Capela's absence may weaken the defense under the basket, and the home team could take advantage of that. The last meetings between the Hawks and Pacers have been productive, and that statistical trend will continue.

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