Game Preview: Pacers vs Warriors

Last Updated: Nov. 21 at 3:15 PM

The Indiana Pacers put together a gritty performance on Sunday night in Oklahoma City.

Playing without All-Star forward Paul George and key reserves C.J. Miles and Kevin Seraphin, the undermanned Pacers nonetheless managed to build a double-digit lead in the second half against the Thunder, persevered through a Russell Westbrook 3-pointer that tied the game in the final seconds of regulation, and came away with a hard-fought 115-111 overtime victory, their first road win of the season.

The reward for Indiana (7-7)? A date on the second night of a back-to-back with a rested Golden State Warriors (11-2) team. The NBA schedule can be awfully cruel at times.

Still, the Pacers should have plenty of reasons for optimism after the way they played in their win over the Thunder. The Blue & Gold had a balanced offensive attack in OKC, with six players scoring in double figures in the win.

Jeff Teague put together a spectacular all-around performance, tallying a season-high 30 points, nine assists, and matching a career best with six steals. Thaddeus Young also picked up his scoring in George's absence, recording his first double-double as a member of the Pacers with 21 points and 11 rebounds. Glenn Robinson III, inserted in the starting lineup with George and Miles both out, showed why the Pacers have high hopes for his future. The third-year swingman recorded his first career double-double in the victory, finishing with 16 points and 11 boards.

The Pacers will need similar production on Monday night, as they won't be getting many reinforcements — if any. George, a three-time All-Star and Indiana's leading scorer, will miss his third straight game with a sore left ankle. Miles, second in the NBA in 3-point percentage heading into Sunday, will also not play due to a sprained knee. Indiana may get reserve center Seraphin back and they'll gladly take his energy, but he won't provide much scoring punch.

Fresh off setting an NBA record last season with 73 wins during the regular season, the Warriors added 2014 MVP Kevin Durant in free agency, causing many observers to pencil them in for a third straight trip to the NBA Finals before the new season even began. There have been some growing pains in the first month, but Golden State has still managed to win 11 of its first 13 contests and enters Bankers Life Fieldhouse on a seven-game winning streak.

The Warriors boast perhaps the greatest collection of shooters ever assembled, and though they're still learning how to play with one another, their numbers can't be denied.

Durant leads the team in scoring at 27.9 points per game while shooting 43.1 percent from 3-point range. Two-time league MVP Stephen Curry is right behind him at 26.4 points per contest and despite going 3-for-21 from beyond the arc over the weekend, the former Davidson All-American is still shooting 41.2 percent from long range.

And you can't forget about Klay Thompson, suddenly the third wheel on the perimeter. The All-NBA shooting guard started the season in a bit of a slump, but he's still averaging 20 points per game heading into Monday night.

On paper, the injury-riddled Pacers would figure to be heavy underdogs against a rested Warriors team. But no one expected them to win on Sunday night in Oklahoma City, either. If they can summon the same energy and effort they played with in their win over the Thunder, anything is possible.

Jeff Teague

Monta Ellis

Glenn Robinson III

Thaddeus Young

Myles Turner

Stephen Curry

Klay Thompson

Kevin Durant

Draymond Green

Zaza Pachulia

Pacers: PG - Jeff Teague, SG - Monta Ellis, SF - Glenn Robinson III, PF - Thaddeus Young, C - Myles Turner
Warriors: PG - Stephen Curry, SG - Klay Thompson, SF - Kevin Durant, PF - Draymond Green, C - Zaza Pachulia

Pacers: Paul George - out (sore left ankle), C.J. Miles - out (sore left knee), Kevin Seraphin - questionable (sore left knee), Myles Turner - questionable (sprained right ankle)

Warriors: Damian Jones - out (right pectoral surgery)

The Pacers have competed against Golden State a total of 85 times, coming out on top with an overall record of 45-40 when playing the Warriors.

January 22, 2016: Rookies Myles Turner and Joe Young combined for 47 points, but it wasn't quite enough to lead the Pacers to victory, as Indiana fell at Golden State, 122-110.

Turner set a career high with 31 points on 12-of-17 shooting to go along with eight rebounds and two blocks. Young also set a career high, scoring 16 points and dishing out eight assists.

But Stephen Curry carried the Warriors to victory. The eventual MVP recorded his second triple-double of the season, finishing with 39 points, 10 rebounds, and 12 assists. Curry went 8-for-15 from 3-point range and 9-for-9 from the free throw line in the win.

Limited seats remain for Monday's game against Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, and the Golden State Warriors at 7:00 PM ET. Secure Seats »

TV: FOX Sports Indiana - Chris Denari (play-by-play), Quinn Buckner (analyst), Jeremiah Johnson (sideline reporter/host)
Radio: 93.5 FM/AM 1070 The Fan - Mark Boyle (play-by-play), Slick Leonard (analyst), Pat Boylan (sideline reporter)
Please Note: Inside Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Pacers radio broadcasts can be heard on 1080 AM instead of 1070.

Select Hooded Fleece - $30. Game Night Specials can be purchased in the Home Court Gift Shop or any of our souvenir stands located on all levels of Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The special is also available online at PacersGear.com until midnight.

Construction Note: The Delaware St. entrance to the Virginia Ave. Parking Garage is no longer in operation due to the construction of the St. Vincent Center. To enter the Virginia Ave. Parking Garage, please use the entrance located at the intersection of E Maryland St. and S Alabama St.

In addition, the southbound lane of Delaware Street from Maryland to just south of the train bridge will be closed for the duration of the construction project.