Warriors Rewind: 10 Thoughts on Warriors 131, Pacers 123

It was not supposed to be this easy. The Warriors were playing the fifth game of a seven game road trip, their third contest in four nights. They were supposed to be tired; they were not supposed to go up by 32 points. Their opponent had the fourth best record in the East and an MVP candidate of their own. This game should have been more competitive yet it was not. Buoyed by a Klay Thompson offensive explosion, Golden State dismantled Indiana to improve their record to 23-0. Up next: The David Lee Reunion game.

Dec 8, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) is guarded by Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Golden State defeats Indiana 131-123. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Here are 10 thoughts from the game:

Indiana came out on fire. Paul George had eight quick points and the Pacers were hitting everything to go up 21-15 early. But just as the fans at the Fieldhouse started to dream the improbable, the inevitable happened. Golden State went on a 22-0 run behind blistering shooting from Klay Thompson who had 11 points in the game’s first seven minutes. Thompson finished with 39 points, 7 boards, 6 assists and 10-16 from long-range. He was so hot I barely noticed Steph’s 29 points.
Monta Ellis had a line that Warriors fans are all too familiar with: 9 points on 4-11 shooting with 6 turnovers for a minus-4 in a losing effort…
…but I will always appreciate Monta’s time with the Warriors. Sure, there were some dicey moments, but that doesn’t diminish all the good times. You cannot blame him for some of the things that happened under the Cohan-Rowell leadership. Now every time I see Monta play the Warriors, it is like bumping into an ex-girlfriend that you parted ways with amicably. After the awkward meeting, you just hope the person is doing well and that you do not run into them too often.
Curry must find regular lobs too easy. Look at this guy.
Paul George (13) takes a shot against the Golden State Warriors at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Golden State defeats Indiana 131-123. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Paul George isn’t just back, he is new and improved. After taking a mini All-Star leap two years ago, PG-13 has taken THE leap and forced himself into the “best small forward in the league” conversation. He may not be number one but with averages of 27, 8 and 4 on 45% from the field along with threes (all career highs) and standout defense, he is at least knocking on Lebron’s door. He was ubiquitous in this game (33 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 combined steals and blocks). If not for Stephen Curry’s complete takeover of the NBA, George’s MVP-level play would be a much bigger story.
Remember when the Pacers were predicted to have a losing season? Indiana lost David West and gave away Roy Hibbert before the year, yet they are right in the thick of the much-improved East, half a game behind first-place Miami (prior to the game). The Pacers plucked George with the tenth pick in the 2010 draft, helped develop him into an elite player and surrounded him with quality teammates. Good coaching and a good front office: why can’t some teams get this right?
Curry may not be the strongest defender but he slides his feet well one-on-one and his lightning quick hands get steals (2.2 a game) and jam up opponents. In the first quarter, he knocked the ball loose on back-to-back possessions from Monta and Rodney Stuckey.
Andrew Bogut looks to be moving much better. He finished with 14 and 10 and had a couple of nice blocks. He was a game high +31.
Warriors shooting guards old and new: 6:00 left in the third, Klay hits a three. Monta races up the court for a mid-range jumper that clanks. Klay gets the ball again for another three-point swish. 6-0 run.
The only thing that managed to cool Klay off was a rolled ankle late in the fourth. The x-rays were negative and he said he should be fine in “a couple of days.” Hopefully his prognosis is as accurate as his shooting.

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