Game Recap
For the 40th time this season the Golden State Warriors were on the winning side of things, after knocking off the Indiana Pacers 122-110 at the ORACLE Arena. Like most teams in the NBA, the Blue & Gold had no answer for Steph Curry. Last year's MVP finished with 39 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists, his second triple-double of the season.
Indiana was within striking distance for most of the game, thanks to rookies Joe Young and Myles Turner, and Monta Ellis, but could never quite get over the hump.
In the fourth quarter, Indiana was able to keep the deficit under double-digits, but in the end, Golden State has the best record in the land for a reason. After an Ellis triple got Indiana within eight, a Shaun Livingston dunk and Curry 3-pointer off a fast break in a matter of seconds raised the lead to 13 with 4:15 remaining. Indiana wouldn't threaten the rest of the way.
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Steve Kerr returned to Golden State's bench for the first time this season, and right off the bat, the Warriors welcomed him back with excellent play in the early going.
They jumped out to a 12-6 lead with 8:44 left in the first, forcing a Frank Vogel timeout. By the time the clock read 5:59, Golden State had extended its lead to 22-8, and Vogel used another timeout. Behind 13 first period points from Draymond Green, the Warriors led 32-18 at the end of the quarter.
The second unit, led by Turner and Young got Indiana back into the game in the second quarter. Young, who finished the half with 11, and Turner's 13 helped Indiana stay within striking distance. With just over six minutes to play, Indiana trailed by just 8.
The Pacers cut the lead to seven with under a minute left but a Curry triple pushed it back to 10. Then, Curry showed why he's one of the best shooters around. He nailed a 3/4 court heave at the buzzer to give Golden State a 13-point lead going into halftime.
Indiana got off to a great start in the third, as an 8-2 run, including six from Monta Ellis, cut the lead to seven with 9:30 on the clock. But a couple of Curry threes quickly ended Indiana’s momentum and forced a timeout at the 6:26 mark, with the Warriors leading 73-61.
Ellis was on fire for the entire quarter, scoring 15 in the third, but his stellar shooting couldn’t bring the Pacers any closer. When the third was over, Golden State led 88-75.
To start the fourth, it was the rookies leading the charge again. Turner hit a fadeaway jumper and Young added a three-point play, with a Lavoy Allen tip-in in between, to make it a six-point game with 10:30 to play, but that was the closest the Pacers would get in the final period of play.
Turner had another monster night, showing why Indiana selected him No. 11 overall in this year's NBA Draft. He finished with a career-high 31 points and eight rebounds. Turner's rookie partner in crime, Young, contributed 16 points and eight assists. Thanks to his sharpshooting third period, Ellis ended the night with 18 points.
Backing Curry were the other two pieces of Golden State's big three, Green and Klay Thompson. Green had 22 points and 11 rebounds, while Thompson added 18 points and five assists.
Inside the Numbers
Myles Turner's 31 points were the second-highest point total by a rookie this season. Phoenix's Devin Booker scored 32 against the Indiana Pacers earlier this week on January 19.
The Pacers made just 3-of-17 3-point attempts (17.6%). It's the second worst percentage they've shot from beyond the arc this season. Back on January 13, 2016 at Boston, Indiana made just 16.7% of its attempts from deep. Indiana's three made 3-pointers are tied for the least it has connected on in a game in 2015-16. The Pacers hit just three from long range against Detroit on December 12, 2015.
Joe Young's eight assists were a career high.
Stat of the Night
Just two games removed from combining for 40 points, the rookie duo of Myles Turner (31) and Joe Young (18) contributed 49 points on 18-of-29 shooting. Each set a new career-high in scoring.
Noteworthy
- The Warriors are now a perfect 21-0 at home this season and have won their last 38 in the ORACLE Arena, tying them with the Celtics (1985-87) for third longest home win streak in NBA history.
- The long distance buzzer-beater Steph Curry drained to end the first half was the longest made regular season shot of his career.
- Solomon Hill made his first start of the 2015-16 season.
Up Next
Indiana's road trip concludes Saturday night against DeMarcus Cousins and the Sacramento Kings. Tip-off is slated for 10:30 PM ET.