Pacers conclude regular season with win over the Hawks for return to the playoffs

It's been four years since the Pacers played meaningful basketball. That all changes after a 47-35 record and they're now the 6-seed in the East facing the Milwaukee Bucks.

The longest-tenured Pacer stands tall and he set the tone for the team on Sunday. As they closed out the regular season against the Atlanta Hawks at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Myles Turner led by example.

He was quick, decisive and sharp in everything that he did — all necessary after they fumbled last game in Cleveland and a win guaranteed them a playoff berth.

It was the Pacers racing out ahead 13-2 and Turner was the catalyst. He scored 11 of their first 15 points, had two early blocks and finished with four.

He did it inside and out. The Pacers held the Hawks to 46 paint points.

The only thing that slowed him down was early foul trouble.

The Pacers scored easily, just like they’ve done all season against the Hawks. Their 49 first-quarter points set a new franchise NBA record for points in the opening quarter.

It wasn’t a complete route. They messed around, played with their food and allowed the Hawks to erase a 16-point hole and even the game at 64.

After several timeouts and a lineup change, the Pacers got serious again. They grew their lead to 14 by halftime and to 44 points for the game in a wire-to-wire 157-115 blowout win.

The starters did not play in the fourth quarter.