Programming note: Pacers-Warriors coverage starts tonight at 6:30pm with Warriors Pregame Live on CSN Bay Area, and streaming live right here.
OAKLAND – The biggest test for the Warriors when they play host to the Indiana Pacers on Friday night might be reaching the required level of focus.
That’s where the return of Steve Kerr as coach could come in handy.
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The Pacers are here, right now, and ready to silence Oracle Arena, but the Spurs will be the next team to visit, and the Warriors (39-4) will need to stay focused on the game before the most anticipated game of the season.
[POOLE: Kerr: 'Have to settle' for Warriors going 39-4 under Walton]
Indiana (23-19) is plenty dangerous – and always difficult for the Warriors. Though the Warriors prevailed in the last meeting between the teams, the Pacers overcome a 32-point deficit to tighten the game in the final minutes.
The Warriors in Kerr’s season debut will be trying to lift their home record this season to 20-0 their and their overall home win streak to 38, which would put them in a tie with the 1985-86 and 1986-87 Celtics for the third longest home win steak in NBA history.
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BETTING LINE
Warriors by 13.
MATCHUP TO WATCH
Draymond Green and Harrison Barnes vs. Paul George -- After a sizzling first month, proving he had recovered from a devastating knee injury that cost him nearly all of last season, George has become merely very good. He is by far the most dangerous player on the Pacers, and the Warriors know it. That’s why Green and Barnes and others, including Andre Iguodala, will alternate defensive assignments on George, who poses challenges similar to those posed by LeBron James.
LAST 10
Warriors: 8-2
Pacers: 5-5.
INJURY REPORT
Warriors: F James Michael McAdoo (L foot toe sprain) is listed as doubtful.
Pacers: C Ian Mahinmi (L ankle sprain) is listed as questionable. G Rodney Stuckey (R foot sprain/bone bruise) and G George Hill (personal reasons) are listed as out.
SERIES HISTORY
The Warriors won the first meeting, 131-123, on Dec. 8 in Indianapolis and are seeking their first season series sweep since 2000-01. The teams have split both games in each of the past three seasons.
QUOTABLE
“I don’t anticipate us looking past Indiana. They’re a good team. We played a great game with them last month. They made an incredible comeback. We know how explosive they are. Our guys know exactly what we need to do. We’ve got to carry on what we’ve been doing and come back into our home building and take advantage of our fans’ energy and play this game tonight and then worry about what’s next.” – Kerr on the Warriors staying on task