So for once my series prediction was right. The Indiana Pacers disposed of the Atlanta Hawks in 6 games to advance to the second round against the New York Knicks, who salvaged a 3-0 series lead by downing the Celtics, also in 6.

Win or lose, I'm super excited about this series. I grew up watching the Pacers vs Knicks. The first NBA game I can recall is when Reggie Miller scored 25 points in the fourth quarter to steal game 5 at Madison Square Garden in the 1994 playoffs. I've followed every Pacers game since.

This time, there's no Reggie, no Rik Smits or the Davises (Dale and Antonio). There's no Patrick Ewing, no John Starks, and no Larry Johnson 4-point plays. Instead, we have David West, Paul George and Roy Hibbert. Carmelo Anthony, Jason Kidd and Tyson Chandler. It's not quite the same, but you can be certain that when these two teams meet in the playoffs, fireworks are likely to ensue.

In March, when the Pacers were playing their best basketball and the Knicks were struggling, this series was a no-brainer. But then the touted Pacers defense regressed and Carmelo caught fight, and the Knicks grabbed the second seed from the Pacers with ease. When the playoffs started, the Knicks looked like heavy favorites against the Pacers (I would have said Knicks in five or six). But now? There are lots of variables at play.

The Pacers found their defense again in games five and six against the Hawks, while the Knicks' offense has taken a noticeable step back. If the Pacers can keep up their defense and the Knicks' streaky shooting fails them a couple of times, I think the Pacers could take this series in six.

Carmelo is a key. He had been on fire earlier in the Celtics series but is now struggling with his shot. Paul George is a great defender but he can't stop Carmelo, especially in the post. David West has the size but not the speed to contain him. It's gotta be a full team effort with guys helping out everywhere if they want to make Carmelo work for his points. News that Carmelo is nursing an injured shoulder could be good news for the Pacers, but with superstars like him it's hard to tell how much of an effect it will have.

JR Smith is a double-edged sword for the Pacers. If his game is on, the reigning Sixth Man of the Year will torch the Pacers, who don't have a single player on the bench that can come close to the type of numbers he can put up. On the other hand, if JR's shot is off and he still decides to play iso ball all the time, that will play right into the Pacers' hands. His attitude could also be a detriment to the Knicks, so it will be up to guys like Lance Stephenson to try and get inside his head.

The third key is Tyson Chandler, whose quickness and athleticism as a seven-footer has traditionally given Roy Hibbert problems. Roy needs to have a big series against him for the Pacers to have a chance. Not necessarily on the offensive end but on the defensive end, boxing out and not giving up any easy second chance points. Roy will need to stay out of foul trouble too.

And of course, there is Amare Stoudemire, who is reportedly eyeing a game three return. I ascribe to the theory that the Knicks are better with him, especially off the bench. He is another huge matchup problem for the Pacers because of his speed and athleticism. Neither David West nor Tyler Hansbrough will be able to stop him, provided he is close to 100%. That is when Jeff Pendergraph is likely to make an appearance.

But if Amare is nothing close to the player he was, then the Pacers could definitely exploit his defense. David West will have a field day with Amare guarding him. There's also the question of chemistry, and it will be interesting to see how he fits in and whether he disrupts the Knicks' rhythm.

Chances are Pacers' coach Frank Vogel will have to really tighten his rotation, especially for the first couple of games, so the Pacers can try and steal one at the garden before heading back to Indiana. They can afford to do that because of the long break between games two and three. Game one will be key.

For some reason, I am confident about this series (which usually spells bad news for the Pacers). The players seem to be clicking at the right time, though this could change in a hurry. But I have faith that this young team can rise to the challenge and steal one in New York, defend home court, and close out the series in six. Even if this goes seven, I think they can still do it.

The first round series between the Indiana Pacers and the Atlanta Hawks has so far been dominated by the home team, which is why game 5 is so pivotal. Fortunately, after two stinkers in Atlanta, the Pacers turned it up a notch and got back to the type of play in March that made people consider them a serious threat to Miami.

The final score was 106-83, and the game was blown open in the second quarter when David West got assertive offensively scored 12 points. He finished with 24 for his first "good" game of the series. The Pacers will need more of it, and it was good to see him put up some numbers after some rather ordinary performances (by his standards).

The box score shows some unusual stats. Paul George had 21 points on 7-8 shooting from the field. Roy Hibbert had 18 but 12 of those points came from the free throw line (12-14). George Hill had a rare 10 assists. Lance Stephenson hada team-high 12 rebounds. We are not likely going to see any of these again this series.

The Pacers can breathe a sign of relief now they are up 3-2 and knowing that they have game 7 at home if they need it. It will be interesting to see how they respond in Atlanta, where they have lost 13 games straight. If they want a chance against the Knicks (assuming they get past Boston), they must play better on the road because they don't have home court advantage.

The Pacers looked like they were ready to take a 3-1 series lead back to Indiana, but after going up 21-14 in the 1st quarter they allowed the Hawks to score 8-straight points to close out the quarter and take a 22-21 lead. From there, things just fell apart as Josh Smith dominated and boosted the Hawks to a 17-point halftime lead.

The Pacers would make several runs in the second half and get within 4 or 5 points on numerous occasions but the Hawks would also respond with a backbreaker. In the end, the effort just wasn't enough, as the Hawks held on for a 102-91 win as the series shifts back to Indiana for game 5 tied at 2-2.

Hard to pinpoint any specific reason why the Pacers lost other than the poor shooting. The Hawks seemed to contest every shot, forcing the Pacers into a 38% shooting night (which is good considering they were 27% last game). I think it's just a matter of the Hawks knowing how to attack the Pacers weaknesses, and having stars like Josh Smith and Al Horford who can give you buckets when you need them.

All five Pacers starters scored in double figures, led by Paul George's 21. George Hill and David West struggled from the field, finishing 4-15 and 5-14 from the field, respectively. The Pacers will need them to bounce back in game 5 if the team wants to avoid being closed out in Atlanta in game 6.

Right now it's hard to predict how this series will go. The Pacers and Hawks both seem to be much better at home, which is good for the Pacers considering they have home court advantage, but the gap is sure to close as the series approaches its end. The Pacers are still a young team and it's questionable whether they can handle the pressure of a big game 7 on their home floor, if it comes to that.

Considering how well the Hawks are playing at home you would have to think game 5 is a must-win game for the Pacers. Let's see how they respond on Wednesday at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

When you shoot 27% from the field and commit 22 turnovers, I guess a 21-point loss is not that bad.

I knew the Pacers were in for a tough game after having not won in Atlanta since December 2006, but I had expected the game to be a little closer than the 90-61 stinker I just witnessed.

It was quite simple. The Hawks used their dominant big men to overpower the Pacers in isolation plays (it was embarrassing) and the Pacers couldn't hit an open shot. After giving up the lead early in the first quarter the Pacers just didn't stand a chance.

David West returned to a bit of form with 18 points on 7-14 shooting but was still complaining far too much to the officials as he has done all series. Paul George came back down to Earth with 16 points, 9 rebounds and 5 turnovers on 4-11 shooting. Roy Hibbert was ineffective (8 points) and George Hill was brutal (1-8), as was Lance Stephenson (1-7).

Jeff Pendergraph, DJ Augustin and Orland Johnson combined for a spectacular 0-14 from the field.

It was just that kind of a night, and the Pacers just need to get this one behind them and move on. The playoffs are about adjustments and the Hawks did their homework tonight. It will be up to Frank Vogel and his staff to make sure the Pacers are ready for the next one. If they can win the next one they'll be able to close it out at home in game 5, otherwise this could very well go 7 and it could be anyone's series.

The Pacers need to play much better on the road if they want to have a chance against the Knicks in the next round, provided both teams make it that far.

I honestly expected it to be closer. The Pacers felt like they could have had a letdown game against the Hawks in the second game of their first round series, but newly annointed MIP Paul George and the Pacers responded to the pressure by powering to a 113-98 victory.

George updated his career playoff high with a 27-point game on 11-21 shooting, and George Hill was deadly with 22 points. Gerald Green decided to become a key player off the bench and had 15 points on 6-11 shooting, including a sick dunk over Josh Smith. Not to be outdone, Roy Hibbert also posterized Ivan Johnson with a brutal and-one throwdown.

The only negative things to report were David West's foul-plagued 7-point night and Lance Stephenson's bruised hip.

But so far so good. The road gets much tougher for the Pacers in game 3 as they head to Atlanta, where they have not won in 11 straight encounters.