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INDIANAPOLIS -- If the opening tip-off was any indication as to how the game would go, it was clear the Indiana Pacers didnt have anything for Dwight Howard and the Atlanta Hawks.As the referee tossed the ball between Myles Turner and Howard, Turner opted against jumping, conceding the tip-off to Howard and the Hawks. It was indicative of how the rest of the game would play out Wednesday night.The effort and energy (tonight) started with me and I have to make sure that every night I bring the same effort and energy, Howard said. When Im able to get in there and crash the boards, just get a feel for the game, it makes everything easier.Howard had 23 points and 20 rebounds to help the Hawks beat the Pacers 96-85. Paul Millsap added 18 points and 11 rebounds for the Hawks.I thought (Dwight) came out with a mindset from the beginning of the game, Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer said. It felt like he was getting every rebound, going to the offensive board and getting put backs. He had something to say before the game to the team. I think starting the right way was important and I think he did it with his actions, he did it with his play,Indiana rallied to cut Atlantas lead to a point with 3:42 left in the third quarter, but the Hawks pulled away with a 19-2 run. The Pacers failed to make a basket in the first 4 minutes of the fourth quarter.Budenholzer noted it was Atlantas finish to the third quarter, extending its lead to eight points, that was ultimately what gave the Hawks enough to keep the Pacers at a distance.Thaddeus Young led the Pacers with 24 points and had seven rebounds. Monta Ellis added 19 points, and Paul George had 18.The Hawks outrebounded Indiana 56 to 37, and outscored the Pacers 48 to 34 in the paint, and 19 to 11 in second chance points. Indiana had just seven offensive rebounds.We just didnt squash down on Howard. I think he had nine offensive rebounds and thats huge when playing a team like the Hawks. You cant let them get offensive rebounds and extra possessions, Young said.AN IMPORTANT TAKEAWAY:The Pacers are third in the NBA in turnovers created, forcing their opponents into 16.2 mistakes per game, ranking fourth with an average of 9.2 steals per game. On Wednesday night, the Hawks turned the ball over 21 times, and of those 15 were the result of an Indiana steal.LOCKED UP:The Hawks are second in the NBA in fourth quarter defense, allowing opponents 21.8 points per game in the fourth quarter. On Wednesday night, the Hawks held Indiana to 19 points. It was the eighth time this season Atlanta has held it opponent to fewer than 20 points in the fourth quarter. The Hawks are 6-2 when achieving this milestone.TIP INS:Indiana: Jeff Teague has scored in double figures in each of the last nine games. ... Youngs 24-point effort was just the second time this season he has scored 20 points or more.Atlanta: The victory was the Hawks 100th over Indiana ... The Hawks have held at least a 10-point lead in 12 games this season and have six double-digit wins.UP NEXT:Indiana: Hosts Brooklyn on Friday.Atlanta: At Utah on Friday.Cheap NHL Jerseys .Y. - General manager Billy King says the Brooklyn Nets are looking to add a big man and confirmed the team worked out centre Jason Collins, who would become the first openly gay active NBA player if signed. Authentic NHL Jerseys . LOUIS -- The New Orleans Saints looked like a team playing out the string. https://www.cheapnhljerseysjustwholesale.com/ . The home side created most of the chances but struggled to break down Braunschweigs resilient defence, resulting in the Bundesligas 1,000th scoreless draw. NHL Jerseys .Y. - Nelson Mandela will be honoured by the New York Yankees with a plaque in Monument Park. Wholesale NHL Jerseys . Pert has formerly spent time as an assistant coach with Cardiff City, Coventry City, and Bahrain mens national team. "Martyn is a highly-respected coach with experience at the top levels in England," said Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson.FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- A.J. Hawks passion for working out could have him in position to make a quick impact with the Atlanta Falcons, who badly need help at linebacker.Hawk said he never stopped working out after being released by Cincinnati in April and would have continued his routine even if there was no chance of extending his career.I never really stopped doing anything, Hawk said. Whether or not a team called, I was going to be ready. I enjoy working out.The Falcons signed Hawk, 32, on Tuesday. The team hopes he can draw upon his 10 years in the NFL, including nine with Green Bay, and be ready to play in Sundays game at Denver.Thats a short time to pick up a defensive scheme. Hawk insisted its not an unrealistic request.Why not? Hawk asked Thursday before his second practice with the team. Everyone here is a football player. Its what we do. Its what Ive done since I was in the second grade.Hawk said Atlanta has a good scheme to learn quickly.The great thing they do here, especially defensively, is they dont over-complicate things, he said. They have their defense and they try to perfect it. They tweak things here and there and make sure theyre doing the right things, playing fast and playing hard. I respect that. I think thats the best thing about this whole team.The Falcons need help at linebacker following a spree of injuries.Atlanta veteran Sean Weatherspoon was placed on injured reserve with an Achilles tendon injury he suffered in last weeks win over Carolina. Rookie starter Deion Jones left the game with an ankle injury.Another rookie, DeVondre Campbell, was held out last week with an ankle injury. Paul Worrilow, a former starter who had been playing behind Jones, also missed the game with a groin injury.Coach Dan Quinn said Hawk is looking like a good fit.ddddddddddddWe were very pleased on his first day, Quinn said before Thursdays practice, adding that Hawks understanding of the Falcons coverages totally came across.Its not going to be an extensive package for him. We want to make sure that the things he does know he can really fly and let his football playing ability take over as opposed to too many checks.Jones, Campbell, 2015 first-round pick Vic Beasley Jr., a linebacker-defensive end, and 2016 first-rounder Keanu Neal, a safety, have provided more speed and athleticism to the defense. The high-scoring offense has earned the headlines as the Falcons (3-1) have taken the NFC South lead. Quinn is counting on more big plays from the defense in the future.Hawk said he had been following the Falcons from his home in Columbus, Ohio, even before he was called this week.I definitely knew I wouldnt have left Ohio for a team that looked like they werent going to win or wasnt on a winning path, he said. I had only heard great things about Atlanta, even before they started out 3-1. It just turned out that I was lucky they were the one that called.LaRoy Reynolds likely would start at weakside linebacker if Jones and Worrilow cant play. Philip Wheeler is the backup for Campbell.Campbell, Jones and Worrilow were held out on Wednesday and Thursday.The Falcons initially said Jones had a calf injury. Quinn said the pain moved around a little to Jones ankle.Quinn said the new description of the injury is not more of a concern.---AP NFL websites: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: http://twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '