After routing Detroit by a score of 122-103 on Wednesday, the Pacers are still clinging to the 6th seed in the Eastern Conference. For now at least, they are out of the play-in. However even if they slip into the pre-post-season range, they are guaranteed not to slip all the way out of it. With Brooklyn's loss yesterday, the Pacers have a floor as the 10th seed.

Against the Pistons, the Pacers had a much needed bounce-back game, which saw both Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam dominate. Tyrese was incredibly efficient from the floor, scoring 20 points on about 69% shooting while also posting nine assists with only two turnovers. Siakam, was similarly effective, scoring 25 points on about 67% shooting to go along with eight rebounds and four assists.

According to Rick Carlisle, the growing synergy between the Pacers stars is something fans should be bullish about.

"(Siakam) really is a spectacular player, but does things in an understated way... When you're a first-team All Star (like Haliburton), you don't get many easy looks. Everybody's gunning for your No. 1 guy on every scouting report... One guy's flying at you, and if you get by him, there's another guy coming. There's been a real good synergy between Tyrese and Pascal."

Tonight the Pacers face a Golden State team that bested them in their previous matchup. Back in February, the Warriors ran the home team out of Gainbridge Fieldhouse in a 131-109 beatdown. Stephen Curry was simply incandescent, splashing in 42 points on 11 of 16 from deep.

Despite that ugly recent history, you could argue the Pacers come into tonight as the better team.

Pacers are in yellow. Warriors in blue.

Buoyed by the Pistons drubbing, the Pacers are the fifth best team in the league in points per possession differential over the past two weeks. In what would seem like science fiction for most of this season, the Pacers strong statistical showing is anchored by stingy defense rather than potent offense.

The Warriors on the other hand, have been porous defensively as of late. They are 4-5 in the month of March, surrendering an average of about 124 points in the five losses. Coincidentally, the Pacers are 28-9 this year when they score over 122 points.

So what do we want to see tonight? We want to see Haliburton and Siakam to continue to play off each other and for the Pacers to score in the mid 120's. Oh yeah – and for Steph Curry to not be an absolute cheat code.

Injuries

Obi Toppin is listed as questionable with an ankle sprain but was at shootaround.

How to Watch

Take a nap. Drink some coffee after dinner. Tonight is going to run late.

Tipoff is at 10:00 PM ET.

TV: Bally Sports Indiana, NBA League Pass

Radio: 93.5/107.5 The Fan

See ya in the comments!

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