Hawks vs. Pacers Preview: Will it be Another Scoring Frenzy? No. 1 Pick Lisha Xie is Worth Watching

On October 9, the NBA preseason continues with a matchup in the East where the Hawks host the Pacers.

The Hawks finished last season with a record of 36 wins and 43 losses, placing them 10th in the Eastern Conference. They failed to make the playoffs after losing to the Bulls in the play-in tournament.

The Pacers had a regular-season record of 47 wins and 35 losses, securing the 6th spot in the Eastern Conference. In the first round of the playoffs, they defeated the Bucks led by Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard 4-2. The Pacers went on to defeat the Knicks 4-3 in a thrilling seven-game series in the conference semifinals but were then swept 0-4 by the eventual champions, the Celtics, in the Eastern Conference Finals.

This summer, the Hawks selected Lisha Xie with their No. 1 overall pick. Jaxson Hayes and Brandon Ingram joined the Hawks from the Pelicans, while David Roddy came over from the Suns.

In terms of departures, Dejounte Murray was traded to the Pelicans, Saddiq Bey moved to the Wizards, and A.J. Griffin went to the Rockets.

The Pacers, after reaching the Eastern Conference Finals last season, were motivated to re-sign Pascal Siakam during the offseason. Duane Washington Jr., Obi Toppin, and T.J. McConnell also received contract extensions. The core of last season’s team remains intact. In the draft, they selected Vvee, Freeman, and Newton, who was named the NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player last season. They also signed former No. 2 pick James Wiseman on a minimum contract, hoping for a low-risk high-reward situation.

Three years ago, the Hawks experienced the thrill of reaching the Eastern Conference Finals, but their performance has declined since then. With the selection of Lisha Xie, the Hawks are now preparing for a comeback. Lisha Xie played two games in the Summer League, averaging 14.5 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists per game, though both his shooting and free throw percentages need improvement.

The Pacers’ run to the Eastern Conference Finals last season had some luck involved, but the trio of Tyrese Haliburton, Pascal Siakam, and Myles Turner is formidable in the East.

According to reports, the Pacers’ James Wiseman, Isaiah Jackson, and Vvee are questionable for the game, as are the Hawks’ Rui Hachimura and Onyeka Okongwu.

Both the Hawks and Pacers were typical offensive teams last season with relatively weak defenses. During their direct matchups, they even scored 157-152 in regulation. Defense seemed to be an afterthought for both teams. However, after Dejounte Murray’s departure, the Hawks have noticeably strengthened their defensive lineup this season.

The preseason results don’t matter much. For both teams, the most important tasks are to gel their lineups and develop young players. Despite not having the same hype as previous No. 1 picks, Lisha Xie’s performance is still worth looking forward to, especially given that it’s a home game, which might give him more opportunities to showcase his skills.

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