Pacers plus 6 hosting Warriors
Golden State can’t go 82-0, right? Nope. The Warriors’ 22-game win streak to open the season – best in NBA history – is in serious peril with this matchup.
The Pacers have the talent, style of play and are in the right spot to deal Golden State its first defeat.
This marks the Warriors’ fifth straight road game and third in four days. Indiana last played on Saturday.
The Pacers have won six in a row at home. They are 11-0 ATS when playing on two days rest. They also are 9-0 the past nine times when facing a foe with a winning record.
Golden State has failed to cover in 12 of its last 14 visits to Indiana. OK, these Warriors may be special. Understood. But don’t underestimate these Pacers either.
The Pacers match up well to the Warriors built along the same lines with an up-to-date small ball philosophy, multiple talented wing players and big men who not only defend the rim but can run, too. Oh, yeah, the Pacers have their own superstar to match Stephen Curry in Paul George.
Curry may be the best player in the NBA depending on how you feel about LeBron James. But George is in the top 10 if not top five. Pacers coach Frank Vogel believes George is the No. 1 two-way player in the game.
Until they slipped in the last two games of their ended West Coast trip, the Pacers had won 12 of 14 games being the second-hottest team next to the Warriors. Perhaps they were thinking ahead to this matchup. Now it’s arrived.
The Pacers are averaging 112.8 points during their last eight games. Golden State leads the NBA in scoring at 115.1 points. The Pacers hold edges in steals and forcing turnovers. Golden State has one of the highest turnover marks at 16 per game.
Maybe the Pacers won’t upset the Warriors. But I’ll take this many points to find out.
