The absence of the Canadian is not an excuse for the Warriors. The Pacers had to do without Tyrese Halliburton, Myles Turner, Chris Duarte, and TJ McConnell! Rick Carlisle’s young players responded to inflict the Warriors their second loss of the season at home. A defeat that could cost Golden State dearly given the tough schedule that awaits them until Christmas (in Utah, against Boston, in Milwaukee, in Indiana, in Philadelphia, in Toronto, in New York, in Brooklyn, against Memphis) .
Faced with Warriors without intensity and without rigor to start the meeting (8/25 on shots, 4 lost balls), the trio Jalen Smith – Andrew Nembhard – Bennedict Mathurin took the opportunity to dominate the debates and put Indiana in orbit (34-21 ). The gap climbs to +16 as the Pacers have fun in Golden State’s racket (40-26). Jordan Poole and Anthony Lamb then wake up the Warriors, before Klay Thompson catches fire with three 3-pointers in a row in one minute to finish an 18-2 which completely reverses the trend (44-42).
The Pacers cash but do not crack, quite the contrary. Andrew Nembhard regains control of operations, attacks the circle, and finds Brisset and Hield 3-pointers to allow Indiana to finish the half on a 17-6 to regain a nine-point lead (59-50).
A new penetration from Nembhard, followed by a decisive pass for Smith in the corner puts the Pacers at +14 (64-50). The Warriors then put on the warm-up blue and come back slowly but surely thanks to a 2-3 zone and three award-winning tris in a row from Klay Thompson, Stephen Curry and Jordan Poole (74-71). As at the end of the first half, the Pacers let the storm pass. With Nembhard in charge, and the duo Brissett – Jackson finishing, they maintain an 8-point lead (89-81).
In the wake of Jordan Poole and Klay Thompson, both aggressive, the Warriors started the last quarter on a 12-3 to take the lead (93-92). But it’s still Andrew Nembhard who takes matters into his own hands. While Stephen Curry forces, the leader of the Pacers plays fair. He scored 8 points and sent Mathurin and Jackson to dunk to give Indiana a seven-point lead with two minutes to play (109-102). After Orlando, Detroit, Charlotte, Sacramento, and Dallas, it’s Indiana’s turn to falter the Warriors in money-time to end their three-game losing streak.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– 30 points in the racket in 15 minutes for Indiana. As a symbol of the one-sided start to the game, and to the advantage of the Pacers, Rick Carlisle’s men pounded the Warriors defense, without any resistance from the defending champions. The Pacers have therefore scored 30 of their first 40 points in the racket, all at 15 of 17 on shots! Two damning statistics for Golden State.
– The absence of Andrew Wiggins was greatly felt. With Jordan Poole in the starting five instead of Andrew Wiggins, spared due to right adductor pain, the Warriors were vulnerable to the ball-in-hand aggressiveness of the Pacers. Rick Carlisle’s men attacked Poole and Thompson relentlessly to find their rhythm. Absent on the carrier, the Warriors defense has also been on alternating current in its rotations, often behind the assists. Two situations in which Andrew Wiggins shines.
– Andrew Nembhard’s accuracy makes the difference. In the absence of injured Tyrese Halliburton, Andrew Nembhard continues to impress. Last night, he had the best match of his young career. Against Stephen Curry and the Warriors, the rookie controlled the money time. With his team down 93-92, he chained assists, floaters, assists, 3-point step backs, assists, 3-point step backs and floaters to lead a decisive 17-9 where he was responsible for the 17 points from his team (10 points, 3 assists)!
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Andrew Nembhard. After his buzzer beater on the head of LeBron James to give the Pacers victory on the Lakers floor, he made the game of his career against Stephen Curry by accumulating 31 points (career high), five 3-pointers scored ( career high), 13 assists (career high), 8 rebounds (career high)!
✅ Oshae Brissett-Isaiah Jackson. Coming off the bench, the two players outrageously dominated their opponents thanks to their physical qualities. Brissett finished with 14 points and 8 rebounds. Jackson with 13 points including two stratospheric alley-oops.
✅ Klay Thompson. Like six years ago, the “Splash Brother” finished the game with 8 3-point baskets scored. If he did not score 60 points this time (28 points, 8/16 from afar), he was the best Warrior.
⛔ Stephen Curry – Draymond Green. Golden State’s two leaders came through on the night, finishing 4 of 25 on shots and 2 of 12 from 3-point range. They were never able to regain the upper hand over the young Pacers.
THE FOLLOWING
Golden State (13-12) : The Warriors travel to Utah on Wednesday night through Thursday.
Indiana (13-11): the Pacers end the road trip to the West on the side of Minnesota also in the night from Wednesday to Thursday.
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