The Pacers outlasted the Hawks in a jaw-dropping spectacle that witnessed a combined 309 points—a game so intense it divided NBA fans into three distinct categories on Tuesday night. Those who witnessed the Hawks-Pacers showdown were split: some were dismayed by the absence of defense, while others found themselves unable to sleep, caught up in the whirlwind of one of basketball’s most exhilarating spectacles in history.
While the Hawks ultimately faced defeat, any NBA fan who skipped this matchup missed out on an unprecedented display. This game, a 157-152 triumph for the Pacers, wasn’t your typical NBA contest—it mirrored an All-Star game.
The pace was relentless. It was an endless barrage of buckets, surpassing the highest pre-game over/under line since 1995 at 252.5 points (depending on your source). The players shattered that total before even reaching the final quarter. The live betting line soared over 300—a spectacle rarely witnessed in a regular game, more common in the All-Star circuit.
But this was no exhibition. This was a bona fide contest that reached a staggering 309 points! It marked the highest-scoring over in 32 years. Foreseen by the clash of two high-octane offenses against subpar defenses, the scoring escalated beyond expectations.
If you shied away due to the inflated line or bet against the over, the Pacers’ early-season scoring trends might have swayed your decision. Before Tuesday, the over-hit in 11 of Indiana’s 12 games, averaging nearly 14 points above the line.
Indiana has engaged in four of the highest-scoring games this season, notably reaching 157 points against the Hawks and 152 against the Spurs, while conceding 155 to the Celtics and 152 to the Hawks again. The latter, was a bitter pill for Atlanta fans, as their team held a 20-point lead over Indiana late in the second quarter.
The Pacers’ 157 points marked their highest-scoring total in franchise history. As for the 309 combined points, it ranked as the highest-scoring game this season and the ninth-highest non-overtime scoring game in NBA history.
Noteworthy stats abound: Seven Pacers players hit double figures, led by Tyrese Haliburton’s 37, while six Hawks players notched at least 14 points, with Trae Young leading at 38. Both teams shot an impressive 60% from the field and 48% from beyond the arc. Indiana’s 22 made 3-pointers stand as the second-most in a game this season.
Both teams also shared 28 free throws. And amid this offensive explosion, the Pacers, now 8-5 overall, secured a spot in the In-Season Tournament knockout round, topping the Eastern Conference’s Group A with an impeccable 3-0 record.
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