For the second consecutive game, the defense of the Golden State Warriors stopped the opposition in the fourth quarter.
The Dubs shot the Indiana Pacers just eight-of-18 in the final period and went on to a 111-107 victory.
Golden State did the same on Tuesday in its victory over the New York Knicks and Indiana with the game at stake. The Dubs were on the defensive side throughout the game and were quickly turning around. They were able to get on the Pacers shooters and keep Indy at seven from 29 shots from outside the arc.
As usual, Stephen Curry took the lead with 24 points, but it was not a one-man show. The Warriors scored five other players in double figures, including Eric Paschall, who beat by 13 points, six of which came in the final quarter.
Paschall has had an up-and-down season, but just like his teammate Kelly Oubre Jr., he is at his best when he attacks the edge and is not happy for jumpers. Pachall has been aggressive in the final period and has taken care of three big boys, including the one who extended the lead to six with 1:14 left.
The Dubs were icy cold from the outside, scoring just 19.2% of their efforts from deep, but scoring 66 points in the paint, 22 more than their season average. Attacking the paint and playing well defensively was a recipe for success for the team.
Since the first of the month, Golden State has ranked third in the opponents’ field goal percentage and sixth in the defensive rankings, a big turnaround from the start of the season.
It was a slow start for the Warriors. They missed their first six three-point attempts and trailed six minutes into the game 12-9. But Golden State jumped back to run 14-7 to get back into the game and took a 25-22 lead.
The Warriors’ defense was once again on point. They did well in their task of challenging Indiana’s three-point efforts, keeping the Pacers just three-out-14 from deep. Unfortunately, Golden State also struggled from the outside, shooting only 13.3 percent in the first half.
Despite Tuesday’s game, the Warriors do not look tired, adjusting the Indiana’s energy over the first 24 minutes, while the Pacers lead 58-56 at halftime.
Both teams ’struggles with shooting outside carried over into the third team and combined to go three-for-14 from outside the arc. But Golden State did a good job of attacking the edge during the quarter, scoring 20 of its 28 points from a mix of buckets in the paint and free throws. The Dubs led 84-80 in the fourth, where they were able to secure the victory.
Golden State improved to 18-15, putting just one game out of fifth place in the Western Conference.
Next: The Warriors get revenge when they host the Charlotte Hornets on Friday.