With the attention of a city up for grabs, the Pacers host the Golden State Warriors tonight. A depressed Colts' fan base is looking for a diversion from focusing on football, so the Pacers have a chance to seize the city's spotlight with a good performance tonight. I'm not expecting a big crowd at the game, but maybe more watching on TV. The game offers a compelling matchup to say the least with former Pacers, Stephen Jackson, Al Harrington, and Austin Croshere playing for the Warriors. A win isn't necessarily mandatory, but a solid performance, showing off the uptempo and entertaining style of play will attract a second look. I know from my own conversations with people that there is a perception about the Pacers that is flat out fiction. I hear complaints from friends and co-workers about the Pacers and the style of play. It doesn't take long to realize the person I'm talking to hasn't seen the team play this year. Being the only game in town now, maybe some of those people will actually watch a game. They just might like what they see.
Check out Part 2 of my GSoM Q&A. Please excuse a few brutal errors, I need an editor.
Here's what the efficiency numbers say:
| Team | Pace | Off.Eff. | Def.Eff. |
|---|---|---|---|
| IND | 87.1(2nd) | 105.4(18th) | 107.0(11th) |
| GSW | 96.8(3rd) | 111.2(7th) | 109.2(25th) |
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.