:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/11949575/20130421_ajl_ss1_146.0.jpg)
The Indiana Pacers put any concerns about their late-season swoon to rest with a focused and energetic effort to beat the Atlanta Hawks in Game 1 of their first round playoff series.
Not only did the Pacers show up ready to roll in the postseason but so did the fans. With an opening series against the Hawks, I heard plenty of grumblings and jokes about the expected empty seats at both arenas in the series. But the fans turned out for Game 1, selling out BLF with a text book playoff atmosphere.
I guarantee there were a few half-written stories prior to the game ready to point out the lack of Game 1 support. Click delete. The Pacers organization earned that sell out with their relentless promotion and effort to entice fans to the Fieldhouse over the past couple of years. They've taken the message to the streets with events in the community like Friday's pep rally for the downtown lunchtime crowd. Hope those front office folks felt a part of that big win in front of a big crowd yesterday because it has taken more than just good basketball to get a lot of those fans back. But yesterday they were back in far better numbers than I expected against Atlanta.
Check out the links:
Hawks at Pacers - Box score and highlights
Game Rewind: Pacers 107, Hawks 90, Game 1 | THE OFFICIAL SITE OF THE INDIANA PACERS
George joins elite company with epic Game 1 performance - 1070 The Fan
Pacers domination of two statistics leads to Game 1 victory... | www.ajc.com
Stephenson aces his biggest test | Pacers Blogs
George's big game leads Pacers past Atlanta 107-90 - AP
Paul George Delivers Historic Performance | THE OFFICIAL SITE OF THE INDIANA PACERS
Pacers Playoffs Notebook: Indiana just ready to play | Fox 59 News – fox59.com
The Paul George Triple-Double Game | 8 Points, 9 Seconds
Brunt: Paul George's triple-double in Pacers' win truly great - Indy Sports Legends
Larry Drew voluntarily fouled out Al Horford in Game One - Peachtree Hoops
West's Positive Leadership Not Limited to Basketball | THE OFFICIAL SITE OF THE INDIANA PACERS
Pacers: The highs and lows of Game 1 | Pacers Insider
George did everything he could possibly do - TrueHoop Blog - ESPN