Eight Indiana Pacers scored in double figures as they set a franchise record for team assists in a game.

When walking into Gainbridge Fieldhouse, even the security guards were saying, ‘We need to win this one,’ The hometown team did not disappoint. All five starters and three key reserves scored in double figures, and each Pacer put points on the board en route to a blowout victory over the Atlanta Hawks.

eight different players scored in double figures as we dropped 150 points and a franchise-record 50 assists in a 150-116 win against Atlanta last night.

watch the full game story from our sixth straight W 🎥 pic.twitter.com/RGb1ZdB5ed

— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) January 6, 2024

Keys to Victory

Indiana jumped out to an early lead in the first period. The Hawks couldn’t buy a bucket early, allowing the Pacers to end the first with a 38-24 lead. Indiana outscored Atlanta by at least 10 points in each of the first three quarters. The Pacers played a decent defensive game, forcing 14 turnovers. Atlanta did nothing to help themselves offensively, shooting a paltry 23.8% from beyond the arc (10-42).

Trae Young struggled mightily with his shot (4-18 from the floor, 1-11 from three) and decision-making throughout the night. In fact, Dejounte Murray was the only Hawk that looked good on the court last night. Rumors are swirling that he’ll be on the move soon. 

Chris Haynes expects Dejounte Murray to be traded

“I do believe Dejounte Murray will likely be traded by the deadline. That’s my belief.”

(h/t @BTRowland ) pic.twitter.com/WADrCNh4Qc

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) January 5, 2024

For the Pacers, team ball with the name of the game. Not only did every player on the team score, but the team set a franchise record with 50 assists as they nearly eclipsed the franchise scoring record of 157, which was earned against the Hawks earlier this season. 

Myles Turner led the way offensively, scoring 27 points on 10-14 shooting. Tyrese Haliburton didn’t need to score much but dished out 18 assists for another double-double. The Pacers point man has an astonishing 84 assists in his last five games. He only has six turnovers in that span.

Next up for the Pacers

Indiana shot the ball incredibly well last night, shooting 48.7% from deep on 19-39 shooting. While it is unlikely that they will keep that pace tonight, they’ll need a great effort on both sides of the ball to defeat the Boston Celtics, who currently sit atop the Eastern Conference with a 27-7 record. If the Pacers pull out the win, it will raise their winning streak to seven games, the longest streak since Paul George wore the blue and gold. 

The Final Buzzer on Pacers-Hawks

What do you think? Will the Pacers be able to beat Boston? If you want to catch our team’s thoughts on this and more news from around the NBA, tune into The Bounce Thursdays at 9 pm EST on Bite-Size Sports!