Indiana Pacers vs. Golden State Warriors: Recap, Prediction, and Probabilities
At Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Thursday, the Indiana Pacers will host the Golden State Warriors. The game is set to begin at 7:00 p.m. ET.
The game total is 251 points, with the Pacers as six-point spread favorites. On Monday, Golden State (22-23-2 ATS, 28-19 O/U, and 22-24 SU) defeated Brooklyn 109-98. The Warriors, who are 9-11 SU and 13-8 ATS away from home, are ranked 12th in the Western Conference.
Tuesday’s game saw Indiana (29-24 SU, 28-21-3 ATS, and 30-22 O/U) defeat Houston 132-129. Sixth position in the Eastern Conference is occupied by the Pacers, who are 17-10 SU and 14-11-2 ATS at home.
Report on Injury
Warriors: Draymond Green, PF, has dubious stats (9.1 PPG, 6.4 RPG, and 6.2 APG).
Pacers: SG Bennedict Mathurin (14.6 PPG), PF Jalen Smith (10.7 PPG and 5.6 RPG), and PG Tyrese Haliburton (22.5 PPG and 11.7 APG) are dubious.
Are the Dubs pretenders or contenders for the postseason?
With an average of 118.7 points per game (8th), Golden State shoots 47.2 percent (18th), with 37.3 percent coming from three-point range (10th). It ranks 10th in terms of free-throw conversion rate (79.2%), 46.4 rebounds (4th), 28.4 assists (7th), and 14.5 turnovers (23rd) on average.
The opponents shoot 47.2 percent (16th), including 35.8 percent from deep range (16th), and pull down 43.1 rebounds per game (14th) against the Warriors, who give up 118.4 points per game (21st). Golden State ranks 27th in terms of average blocks (4.0), steals (6.6), and fouls committed (20.7) per game.
According to Dunks and Threes, the Warriors are ranked 12th in pace (schedule-adjusted), 20th in defensive rating, and 11th in offensive rating.
Indiana leads the league in average points scored per game (12.4) and shooting (50.7%), with 38.0 percent coming from three-point range (4th). It averages 41.0 rebounds (28th), 30.8 assists (1st), 13.5 turnovers (14th), and converts 78.6 percent of its free-throw attempts (13th).
The Pacers allow 122.5 points per game (28th) while their opponents shoot 50.2 percent (28th), with 42.8 rebounds per game (11th) and 37.4 percent from deep range (19th). Indiana ranks 8th in blocks, 10th in thefts, and 30th in fouls committed per game on average.
According to Dunks and Threes, the Pacers are ranked third in offensive rating, 26th in defensive rating, and second in tempo (adjusted for scheduling).
Mathurin and Haliburton, the latter of whom is doubtful to play because of rest management, could be out of the lineup for the Pacers. If Green plays in both of the back-to-back games, the Warriors should be entirely healthy. Golden State ought to be the healthier team tomorrow night, even if he doesn’t suit up.
I’m not betting on the Pacers to win six points because Haliburton appears to be leaning toward sitting out. If Green has to take a nap, Golden State will be without his ability to create plays, but Steph Curry and Jonathan Kuminga should be enough to keep the score close. Due to their poor defensive capabilities, the Pacers’ offense will not be as effective if Mathurin or Haliburton are sidelined. If Smith is unable to take the floor due to back spasms, they will also miss his rebounding.
If Golden State is to continue chasing the Western Conference playoffs, it must win. At the very least, I’ll wager that tomorrow night’s total will remain within five points!