The Golden State Warriors vs. the Central Division
By Andy Serbe
1. Indiana Pacers
2012-13 Record: 49-32 (Made playoffs, lost in Eastern Conference Finals to Miami Heat 3-4)
The Pacers finished as the second-best eastern team last year, and very nearly knocked off the Miami Heat on their championship run. Their stifling defense and interior attack took them a long way, along with the emergence of Paul George as an All-Star guard and one of the best two-way guys in the game today. Roy Hibbert showed up in a big way later in the year, and even George Hill made solid contributions running the offense. All this came behind a great year with young coach Frank Vogel at the helm. There’s no reason to believe that this team won’t be a major threat to the Heat again in the coming season, and be one of the best Eastern Conference teams once again.
Prediction: 1-1
The Pacers have all the defensive prowess of the Bulls, with a bit of offensive impotence by comparison. Last season, the Warriors and Pacers split their two games throughout the year. That won’t likely change this year, especially with the Warriors’ key additions in the offseason increasing their prowess on both ends of the floor. The biggest factor between them will easily be the balance on the interior. It’ll get split again this year especially if Hibbert and power forward David West take advantage of some weakness on interior stopping by the Dubs.
Overall Central Head-to-Head Predicted Record: 6-4
A 7-3 or 5-5 is also fairly likely, but this is probably the toughest division in basketball right now. It’ll be a rough go no matter what for the Warriors against the Midwestern squads. Should be an interesting set of matchups.