TJ Warren, Doug McDermott lead Pacers past Warriors
Indiana Pacers forward Doug McDermott (20) reacts after shooting a 3-point basket against the Golden State Warriors during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Friday, Jan. 24, 2020. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
SAN FRANCISCO — T.J. Warren scored 21 of his 33 points in the first half, Doug McDermott made four 3-pointers in the fourth quarter and the Indiana Pacers beat the Golden State Warriors 129-118 on Friday night.
McDermott matched his season high with 24 points as the Pacers (30-16) won their seventh in eight games. Domantas Sabonis added 16 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists, while T.J. McConnell and Aaron Holiday scored 12 apiece.
D’Angelo Russell had 37 points for Golden State. The Warriors lost for the 13th time in 14 games and fell to an NBA-worst 10-37.
Golden State was working to complete a trade with Dallas that would send Willie Cauley-Stein to the Mavericks in exchange for a second-round draft pick. The deal will reportedly be finalized when Dallas makes room on its roster for the 7-foot Cauley-Stein.
The Pacers held a 56-28 advantage in the paint, scored 33 points off 20 Warriors turnovers and got steady production from the bench to beat Golden State for the fourth time in 11 games.
It didn’t come easily for coach Nate McMillan’s squad.
Indiana let most of a 16-point halftime lead slip away in the third quarter, then nearly blew another big lead in the fourth before pulling away.
After Eric Paschall’s two free throws got Golden State to 121-115, Aaron Holiday – who made back-to-back 3s late in the third quarter – hit his third and Warren later added another 3-pointer to make it 129-118.
Sabonis gave the Pacers a scare when he went down early in the third quarter just as a timeout was called. Sabonis stayed down for several moments, then walked off the court before pausing near the scorer’s table to rub his head.
TIP-INS
Pacers: Warren was called for a technical foul after scoring in the third quarter. … Sabonis had four steals by halftime to match his previous career high.
Warriors: With Cauley-Stein out because of the pending trade and Kevon Looney sitting out because of abominal soreness, Marquese Chriss started at center had 13 points with three rebounds. … Russell was hit with a technical foul in the second quarter. … Injured starts Stephen Curry (hand) and Klay Thompson (knee) will be re-evaluated in early February.
UP NEXT
Pacers: End their five-game road trip in Portland on Sunday. The Trail Blazers have won four straight against Indiana.
Warriors: Play the 76ers in Philadelphia on Tuesday to begin a five-game trip.
