The day after their victory over the Lakers, the Pacers showed up at Chase Center without Domantas Sabonis or Caris Levert, both injured the day before, without Malcolm Brogdon, resting during this back-to-back, and without Myles Turner , also injured for the week. Yet they managed to play the Warriors eye to eye, simply because they wanted more, and they garnered a second straight away win.
Thanks to an aggressive and effective Goga Bitadze, the Pacers tied the game with the Warriors, before the defense of the latter went up a notch to cause five lost balls and make a first gap (30-23). Steve Kerr’s men, however, do not drive the point home, the lack of rigor and intensity allows Duane Washington Jr and Jeremy Lamb to keep Indiana in the game (51-50). It was finally the awakening of Stephen Curry, author of 13 points in the second quarter, and the activity of Kevon Looney which allowed Golden State to make another mini break before halftime (63-55).
Three award-winning shots from Justin Holiday and Chris Duarte and three offensive rebounds launch a 13-3 Pacers who take the lead (68-66). A yelling from Steve Kerr and Mike Brown stopped the bleeding in defense but with Andrew Wiggins, Klay Thompson and others without rhythm, only the Curry – Looney pair managed to keep the Warriors up to Indiana (83-83).
With Curry this time supported by a Gary Payton II who chained interceptions, posterized Bitadze, and caused his second technical foul, the Warriors regained the advantage but a 15-5 Pacers threw a chill in the Chase Center (104-99) . In the wake of Stephen Curry, the Warriors believe they have the right end, but an acrobatic 3-pointer from Justin Holiday in the last seconds sends everyone into overtime.
As throughout the game, it was the Warriors who made the first gap but the Pacers responded with a 10-0 thanks to the Duarte – Sykes pair to get a much-deserved victory!
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
— The Warriors took the Pacers high. Faced with the Pacers deprived of their four best players for the second game of a back-to-back, Golden State was surely expecting an easy game, even a win in advance. The Dubs then played on a false beat, keeping Indiana in the game. Their 21 drop balls, 13 conceded offensive rebounds, and 21% from 3-pointers were symbols of this lack of commitment. This defeat is synonymous with “professional misconduct” for a team with such lofty goals.
— From the shadow to the light. Whether it was Isaiah Jackson’s single-game points record, Duane Washington Jr.’s good passing, Justin Holiday’s decisive skill to send the game into overtime, and of course Chris Duarte’s leadership, Rick Carlisle was able to count on its entire workforce and on the great confidence of its players. The Pacers bravely played their chances and never gave up, each time Golden State temporarily took control of the game on several occasions.
— Stephen Curry flinches at the worst time. Throughout the game, Stephen Curry, well supported by a dominating Kevon Looney on the rebound, held his team at arm’s length. He attacked the circle relentlessly, fetching nine free throws in the process. It was he who brought Golden State back into the game in the fourth quarter before putting his own in front with ten seconds to play. Unfortunately for him, he forgot himself in defense on Justin Holiday’s 3-pointer which sent the game into overtime, before missing a long open shot in the middle to equalize and keep his team alive.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Stephen Curry. The double MVP was one of the only Warriors to deliver a worthy performance before overtime. He finished with 39 points and 8 assists but failed in overtime, and missed the award-winning shot that could have sent the game into second overtime.
✅ Kevin Looney. With 13 points and 15 rebounds, the pivot of the Warriors recorded a fourth game in a row with ten or more rebounds, a first in his career.
✅ Chris Duarte. In the absence of the stars of his team, the rookie took responsibility, finishing with 27 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals.
✅ Justin Holiday. The former Warrior was instrumental in sending the game into overtime. He finished with 16 points at 4 of 9 from 3-pointers.
⛔ Clay Thompson. After their best game of the season on Tuesday, the “Splash Brother” continues with their worst performance since their return. He never found his rhythm and finished 6 of 17 on shots.
⛔ Andrew Wiggins. Like Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins is a symbol of his team’s lack of intensity. He too was clumsy, missing 10 of his 15 attempts.
THE FOLLOWING
Golden State (32-13): the Warriors continue at the Chase Center in back-to-back with the reception of Houston.
Indiana (17-29): direction Phoenix for the Pacers who are playing the penultimate game of their “road trip” to the West.
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