The Golden State Warriors are coming off a fourth-quarter meltdown that left them splitting their four-game road trip, while the Indiana Pacers head to Oracle Arena without a win there in six plus years, opening a season-high six-game homestand for the W's Friday night.
The Warriors (5-9) begin a key part of their schedule as 10 of the next 12 come at home, looking to gain some traction in the playoff race with some much needed wins. Golden State earned a 110-108 victory in January of last year on last second Monta Ellis jumper, finishing with 36 points. He dropped 45 on them the time before in 2009, which doesn't bode well for Indiana.
Nor does the fact that offseason pickups Nate Robinson and Brandon Rush have been so productive. Rush will get his first chance to play against his former Indiana teammates tonight, look for him to open it up a little off the bench. Also keep an eye on Danny Granger, who averages 29 points against the W's, and big man Roy Hibbert who will be a handful down low for Lee, Biedrins and the like.
Tipoff is set for 7:30 pm PT with coverage on CSN Bay Area and KNBR 680 AM.
For more on the W's head over to Golden State of Mind.