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Pacers, Hawks renew playoff rivalry

Nov 1, 2014 - 2:10 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - The Atlanta Hawks will try to get into the win column Saturday night when they welcome the Indiana Pacers to Philips Arena for their home opener.

The Hawks will also be seeking retribution from last season's playoffs. Atlanta played the Pacers tough, but ultimately fell in seven games in the first round.

The Hawks began the season after a summer littered with controversy. When general manager Danny Ferry read aloud a racist remark about free agent Luol Deng, it was revealed that controlling owner Bruce Levenson sent an e-mail with several racist remarks to members of the Hawks' upper management.

Levenson is in the process of voluntarily selling his shares.

On the court, things didn't start well for the Hawks. They fell in Toronto to the Raptors, 109-102, on Wednesday.

The Raps held a 17-point lead with under five minutes to play, but Atlanta fought back and cut the deficit to four. The Hawks failed to box out free- throw shooter DeMar DeRozan late and the game went to the reigning Atlantic Division champions.

"I think tonight there are a lot of areas where they were a little bit more physical, a little bit more active than us," Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer said. "I feel good about our guys fighting back."

Kyle Korver shot a blistering 7-of-10 from the floor -- including 6-of-7 from deep -- to account for 20 points in the setback. Jeff Teague and Mike Scott also scored 20 points for Atlanta, with Teague adding eight assists.

Al Horford, who played in just 29 games for the Hawks last season after suffering a torn pectoral muscle, returned to the court and totaled 12 points and 13 rebounds.

The Pacers suffered their first loss of the season Friday night with a 97-89 home setback to the Memphis Grizzlies. Indiana built a 13-point lead at the half, but Memphis went on a 26-2 run in the third. The Grizzlies won the period, 33-14, and that doomed the Pacers.

"They just imposed their will in that quarter," Indy coach Frank Vogel said of the third. "They locked us down. We couldn't get any good looks. You have to credit their defense."

Chris Copeland came off the bench to score 16 points, while CJ Miles and Donald Sloan contributed 13 and 12 points, respectively, for Indiana, which opened the season with a 103-91 win over Philadelphia.

Damjan Rudez chipped in 11 off the bench and Rodney Stuckey added 10.

David West, George Hill and CJ Watson all missed their second straight with injuries. None are expected in the lineup on Saturday.

The Hawks and Pacers split two regular-season meetings last season and the Pacers ended a 12-game, regular-season road losing streak in this series with their victory on Feb. 4.