SAN FRANCISCO – With back-to-back away losses behind them and a brutal six-game street journey mendacity forward, the Warriors took benefit of the workforce’s solely dwelling sport in a 16-day stretch on Sunday night.
Golden State gained 114-83 in what was, largely, a rock-fight of a basketball sport till late within the third quarter.
Jimmy Butler led the workforce with 21 factors, whereas Moses Moody scored 13, Brandin Podziemski had 14 and Quinten Submit scored 14. Excessive-energy rookie Will Richard poured in 15 on a collection of cuts and free throws.
The Warriors led 48-41 at halftime regardless of taking pictures 37.2% from the sector and simply 5 of 21 from behind the arc. They shot simply 26 of 37 from the free throw line total.
The groups have been tied deep into the third quarter, when the Warriors launched into a 14-0 Butler, Al Horford and Moody-fueled run to break the sport open.
The visiting Pacers, the reigning Japanese Convention champion, got here to San Francisco decimated by accidents. 9 totally different gamers have been dominated out, together with 4 common starters.
The Warriors weren’t completely wholesome, both. Steph Curry missed his third consecutive sport whereas recovering from an sickness.
Nonetheless, the face of the franchise was an lively participant on the sidelines whereas sporting white sweatpants and a jacket. Curry sat subsequent to the coaches and may very well be seen having conversations with teammates throughout timeouts.
Coach Steve Kerr mentioned he hopes Curry shall be able to play when the Warriors (6-4) journey to Oklahoma Metropolis on Tuesday.
Horford affect
If Horford, 39, was feeling the consequences of a sore left foot that held him out of Friday’s sport, he didn’t present it towards Indiana. After lacking all seven of his pictures towards Sacramento on Wednesday, Horford was 4 of 6 from behind the arc and scored 12 factors.
He additionally dished out an help whereas grabbing 4 rebounds in 18 minutes. Horford performed the position the Warriors want him to thrive in if the workforce is to succeed this season.
Horford’s offense was stellar, however his protection was simply as spectacular. He racked up three blocks and influenced a handful of different pictures, utilizing timing somewhat than athleticism to guard the rim.
Sluggish begin
Regardless of going through a skeleton crew, the Warriors’ offense seemed prefer it was enjoying an elite defensive unit within the first quarter. They shot simply 8 of 24, making 5 of 14 3-pointers.
Turnovers, as have typically been the case, set the offense again. The Warriors had 4 giveaways, which led the way in which to seven Pacers factors and greased the wheels for a equally sluggish Pacers assault (8 of 25).
Kuminga’s taking pictures struggles
With just a little underneath six minutes left within the second quarter, Jonathan Kuminga lower alongside the baseline on the fastbreak earlier than skying for a lob from Podziemski.
The Chase Heart crowd, determined to cheer for one thing in a sport nonetheless caught within the 30s, rose to their toes in unison. They promptly returned to their seats, disenchanted, when Kuminga was unable to complete the dunk.
After taking pictures simply 3 of 10 towards Denver, Kuminga struggled to place the ball within the basket for the second consecutive night time regardless of receiving a bundle of alternatives with Curry sitting. Kuminga scored simply 5 factors on 1-for-9 taking pictures, together with 0-for-5 on 3-point pictures. He didn’t play within the fourth quarter.
Podziemski was not a flamethrower from the sector, taking pictures simply 4 of 11 and infrequently placing stress on the protection as a driver. Nonetheless, he remained efficient as one of many workforce’s few efficient ballhandlers, and was a part of the unit that expanded the fourth quarter led to twenty.
Moody supplies a spark
In a sport the place each possession was a slog, Moody’s four-point play late within the third quarter introduced the gang to life. He collected the ball in entrance of the workforce’s bench and hoisted a desperation triple whereas being fouled by Monte Morris.
Moody turned to exult in his teammates’ ensuing celebration, and the next made free throw helped Golden State take a 10-point lead into the fourth quarter. Flashing an improved 3-point stroke that has helped him shoot 44% from behind the arc, Moody made 3 of 9 triples and scored 13 off the bench.
Very like Horford, his power on protection was infectious and helped flip the sport round.
