Only once in the last 11 seasons have the Warriors lost a season series to Indiana, and the only way to avoid that distinction this season is by defeating the Pacers Thursday in Indianapolis.
The Warriors (57-21) are better equipped than they were last week in a 92-81 loss to Indy. Kevin Durant, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson are back in the lineup.
The Warriors are coming off maybe their most inspiring game this season, dressing 10 players and getting key contributions from reserves in a win at Oklahoma City.
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The Pacers (46-32) came into the season projected to finish 20 games under .500. They instead have been one of the league’s surprise teams, clinching a playoff berth 11 days ago and now fighting for to gain homecourt advantage in the first round.
BETTING LINE
Warriors by 2
MATCHUP TO WATCH
Golden State Warriors
Thompson vs. Victor Oladipo: Making a big impact at both ends, Olidipo has been one of league’s 10 most valuable players this season. The first-time All-Star is 10th in scoring (23.4 ppg) and first in steals (2.33). Since returning after an eight-game absence due to a fractured thumb, Thompson has been terrific at both ends. He’ll use his length to try to contain Oladipo and constant motion to keep him from cheating the passing lanes.
INJURY REPORT
Warriors: G Nick Young (flu-like symptoms) is listed as questionable. F Omri Casspi (R ankle sprain), G Stephen Curry (L MCL sprain), G/F Andre Iguodala (L knee soreness) and G Pat McCaw (lumbar spine contusion) are listed as out.
Pacers: No injuries listed.
LAST 10
Warriors: 5-5. Pacers: 6-4.
GAME OFFICIALS
David Guthrie (crew chief), Marat Kogut, Mark Lindsay
SERIES HISTORY
The Pacers won the first of two meetings this season, 92-81 on March 27 in Oakland. The Warriors swept the two-game series last season and are 5-2 against Indiana in the Steve Kerr era.
THREE THINGS TO WATCH
RELOADED WARRIORS: Indy snoozed through the first half last week, yet the Warriors struggled to score. Young led them with 12 points. Quinn Cook attracted a lot of attention, shot 5-of-17. The return of three All-Stars gives the Warriors the firepower to stress the Pacers’ defense and probably snap it.
THE D: The Warriors put forth one of their most impressive defensive games of the season Tuesday, limiting an explosive Thunder team to 37.6-percent shooting from the field. Locking down on that end is the surest way for the Warriors to achieve success insofar as the offense comes harder without Curry.
THE TURNOVERS: In the three games since Thompson’s return, the Warriors averaged 13 turnovers, off which opponents have averaged 14.7 points. They can live with those numbers. It’s a challenge to stay in that range against the Pacers, who rank second in forcing turnovers and third in points off them.