Game Details
- Tip Off: 4:00 PM PT
- Television: CSN-BA
Indiana Pacers Team Profile
- Offensive Efficiency: 107.5 (3rd in NBA)
- Defensive Efficiency: 104.3 (tied for 21st in NBA)
Leaders
- Points: James Harden, 26.4 PPG
- Rebounds: Omer Asik, 11.7 RPG
- Assists: Jeremy Lin, 6.1 APG
- Steals: Jeremy Lin, 1.8 SPG
- Blocks: Omer Asik, 1.1 BPG
- Field Goal Percentage: Greg Smith, 64.2% FG
- 3-Point Field Goal Percentage: Chandler Parson, 38.3% 3PT FG
Scope the Opposition: Red 94.
Preview: After getting drilled at home Friday night by the Chicago Bulls (36-29), the Golden State Warriors (37-30) will be looking to bounce back today in a contest on the road involving the Houston Rockets (36-30).
Today’s contest will be a challenge, and that’s putting it mildly.
Kevin McHale’s unit has dominated the battle this season. In the three head-to-head matchups versus Golden State, Houston has been victorious all three times.
The first meeting was a defensive monstrosity for a Golden State team that surrendered a staggering 140 points to the Rockets in a rout.
Quite simply, the Warriors have failed in providing any semblance of impediment for James Harden and company.
Houston’s offense has manufactured every shot desired against the Dubs.
Whether that’s an abundance of shots at the rim, clean 3-point looks or free throws, the Rockets have gotten them all in big doses.
This poses an interesting conundrum for Mark Jackson: toss all defensive strategy by the wayside and focus on outscoring his opponent; or place an added emphasis on defense.
A scheme favoring putting additional obstacles in the way of Houston’s offense means that Andrew Bogut, Festus Ezeli and Draymond Green need considerable court time. Whether it’s anchoring the paint or applying tight perimeter pressure, these three players can bring things to the table.
Mind you, only Bogut has given Golden State some good offensive production this season via his passing and offensive rebounding.
The other side of the coin is simply throwing out the Warriors’ best offensive players and hope a shootout favors them. The issue with this tactic is the possibility that Houston does more damage than what they’ve already done in previous encounters.
Consider these Houston numbers versus Golden State this season:
- The Rockets are attempting 27.3 shots per game at the rim versus the Warriors.
- Houston is manufacturing 31.3 free throws per game against Golden State.
- The Rockets are converting 44 percent of their 36.3 3-pointers attempted per game versus the Warriors.
No matter how we slice it, McHale lives in his own world and philosophy when paired against Jackson.
Can the Warriors finally adjust?
Tonight’s matchup certainly depends on it.
Questions or comments? Feel free to leave them in the comments section or you can contact me by email at [email protected].