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Hawks hope to end slide against Pacers

Nov 18, 2008 - 1:44 PM Atlanta (6-3) at Indiana (4-5) 7:00 p.m. EST

INDIANAPOLIS (Ticker) -- The Atlanta Hawks have hit the skids after jumping out to the best start in the Eastern Conference.

They will look to halt a three-game losing streak when they face the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday.

Atlanta was the last team in the East to lose, winning its first six contests. But without Josh Smith, who has missed the last five games with a high left ankle sprain, the Hawks have struggled on the defensive end.

Teams have scored 100 or more in four straight against Atlanta, which did not allow more than 92 in its first five contests.

Joe Johnson continues to lead the Hawks offensively, scoring 32 and 31 in consecutive games. The seventh-year guard is averaging 26 points and 4.9 assists.

The Pacers have lost two straight games after putting together a three-game winning streak.

While Danny Granger leads Indiana at 23.1 points a game, six other players average eight points or more in a balanced scoring attack.