Update [2008-1-13 15:36:32 by Cornrows]:Don't miss my Q&A with Golden State of Mind. I almost forgot to mention it. Part 1 is up now. Part 2 will be up prior to the game on Wednesday.
The Pacers and their small ball attack will get the ultimate test tonight against the Golden State Warriors. The Warriors have made a killing with the hoops genre that the Pacers are now dabbling in. No doubt the winner of this one should surpass 120 points down the stretch.
Hate to play Mr. Obvious, but the team that shoots it best will win. Defense isn't a strong suit of either team. We all know the Pacers can go through maddening shooting droughts. The Warriors aren't as bad, but they can't catch a case of the clanks from time to time, too.
One key for the Warriors is focus. From Baron Davis to Stephen Jackson, when they're all into it the team is lethal (and tons of fun to watch). With the return of Mike Dunleavy and Troy Murphy to the Roracle, the play should be buzzing enough to keep the home team's attention. So, that leaves it up to the Pacers to keep pace and knock down open shots.
Here's what the efficiency numbers say:
| Team | Pace | Off.Eff. | Def.Eff. |
|---|---|---|---|
| IND | 96.9(2nd) | 105.6(18th) | 107.1(14th) |
| GSW | 96.6(3rd) | 111.6(7th) | 109.7(26th) |
Actually, 120 may not be enough.
Projected Starters
| PACERS | pos. | WARRIORS |
|---|---|---|
| Mike Dunleavy | F | Stephen Jackson |
| Danny Granger | F | Al Harrington |
| Jermaine O'Neal | C | Andris Biedrins |
| Kareem Rush | G | Monta Ellis |
| Jamaal Tinsley | G | Baron Davis |
Feel free to leave your thoughts on the game in the comments.