Game Preview
The Indiana Pacers (13-15) roll into San Francisco riding a three-game winning streak, looking to extend their hot streak against the Golden State Warriors (15-11) on Monday night. While the Warriors hold a slight home-court advantage, the Pacers' recent surge gives them momentum in this interconference clash.
Fueled by a blistering offense, Indiana has averaged a scorching 146.6 points over their last five games, shooting a stellar 50.7 percent from the field and 42.2 percent from deep. Their ball movement has been electric, dishing out 37.4 assists per contest while crashing the boards for 50.4 rebounds. The Pacers are sharing the rock and capitalizing on open looks, a formula that could give Golden State's defense fits.
Conversely, the Warriors have scuffled over their last 10 games, posting a 3-7 record while averaging just 105.3 points on 42.4 percent shooting. Their three-point stroke has gone ice cold at 35.1 percent, hampering their typically potent offense. Golden State will need to rediscover their rhythm from distance to keep pace with Indiana's high-octane attack.
While the Pacers have surged, the Warriors' struggles have been compounded by 13.2 turnovers per game over their last 10 outings. Sloppy play and careless miscues could prove costly against a red-hot Indiana squad capitalizing on every opportunity. Ball security will be paramount for Golden State to control the tempo and prevent the Pacers from igniting their transition game.
With both teams boasting elite scoring prowess this season, this matchup could devolve into a high-scoring affair. The Warriors have surrendered 117.4 points over their last five games, while the Pacers have given up 111.6 during their recent tear. Defensive intensity and getting stops could ultimately swing the pendulum in a potential shootout at Chase Center.