Two of the best teams in the NBA are set to square off on Monday night when the Indiana Pacers host the Golden State Warriors. This game will be a contrast of styles as the Warriors are one of the best offenses in the NBA, while the Pacers defend at a high level. Indiana beat Golden State in both matchups a season ago, and the Warriors will be looking for revenge.
The Golden State Warriors come into this contest riding a 10-game winning streak. The Warriors have taken complete control of the Western Conference, and enter this game with a record of 35-14. Indiana had their three-game winning streak snapped in their last outing, but are still in great shape in the East. The Pacers are 32-16 this season and in second place in the Central Division. Golden State is -9.0 over the Pacers on Monday night.
Pacers Must Find New Leader
Despite a great record so far this season, the Pacers find themselves in a rough spot. The Pacers lost Victor Oladipo to a devastating knee injury last week, and Indiana must find a way to regroup in a hurry. Oladipo was leading the Pacers with close to 19 points per game and was also their best perimeter defender. Indiana still has enough talent to be a playoff team, but someone is going to have to step up and lead them.
Point guard Darren Collison will have to take on a lot more responsibility as the leader of the Pacers offense. Collison is dishing out 5.8 assists per game but needs to start scoring more with Oladipo out. The Pacers lead the NBA, allowing just 103.2 points per game so far this season, and there will be more pressure on the defense without their offensive star.
Warriors Back to Making Shots
All of a sudden, the Golden State Warriors are back to making three-point shots at a historic rate. The Warriors are shooting close to 40 percent from the three-point line, and are making thirteen triples per game. Golden State is back to leading the NBA in scoring as well, pouring in 118.8 points per game. If anyone is going to find a way to beat the Warriors, they must find a way to defend the three-point line.
Stephen Curry has pulled away from Kevin Durant in terms of points per game, leading the Warriors with 29.3. Durant isn’t far behind him at 27.9, and he has also grabbed over seven boards per game. Golden State just recently added DeMarcus Cousins to the mix, and he has played well as their center. The Warriors are loaded once again, and it will take a terrific effort for someone to beat them.
Golden State Wins on Road
A week ago, this game would have been one of the marquee matchups in the NBA. Without Oladipo, the Pacers just seem like a middle of the pack team in the Eastern Conference, which is a shame. Indiana could have made things difficult on the Warriors, but they simply don’t have the talent to compete in this game. Look for Golden State to get a blowout win. Bet the Warriors -9.0 over the Pacers.
