| Score | Time | Off. Rtg. | eFG% | O.Reb.% | TO% | FTR | |
| Golden State | 97 | Final | 105.9 | 51.3 | 34.9 | 18.8 | 31.6 |
| Indiana | 108 | Pace: 94.9 | 113.8 | 52.4 | 31.1 | 11.9 | 32.1 |
Stephen Curry (GSW) — 38 pts, 7/10 3FGs
Paul George (IND) — 21 pts, 11 rebs
Golden State Warriors (33-23) vs. Indiana Pacers (35-21)
7 p.m.
What happens when the immovable object meets the irresistable force?
OK, maybe Golden State's offense is not quite irresistable. And maybe Indiana's defense is not quite immovable. But this is still an incredibly interesting matchup of push and pull.
The Warriors have the 11th best offensive rating in the league while the Pacers have the top defensive rating in the league. Again, this will be a game of push and pull
How does Indiana handle the floor-stretching abilities of Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry? How does Golden State crack that defense?
The real question might be whether the Warriors can get stops with Danny Granger playing his second game of the season and Paul George leading the balanced effort from the Pacers' offense. Figuring out how to survive those weaknesses coudl be the determining factor in this big game.
It should be a good one. If Golden State can find an offensive rhythm, Indiana may not be able to keep up. If the Pacers get those stops, it will be extremely difficult for the Warriors to score and fit their identity. This one might be an identity revealing game for the struggling Warriors with Mark Jackson trying to preach defense first.
Now is the time to prove it.
Other Storylines to Watch
-The Warriors are quietly planning their way out of Oakland. Yes, it is only to San Francisco, where the team has already planned a new stadium overlooking San Francisco Bay. Oakland has certainly become a part of Golden State's identity as a franchise. But the team is moving on to bigger and better things, it would seem.
-Danny Granger scored two points on 1-for-10 shooting in his debut on Saturday. Luckily it was a blowout victory over Detroit. We will see how he does in game two.
Tonight's Other Games
| Score | Time | Off. Rtg. | eFG% | O.Reb.% | TO% | FTR | |
| Orlando | 98 | Pace: 92.0 | 106.5 | 57.2 | 17.1 | 15.3 | 21.1 |
| Philadelphia | 84 | Final | 91.4 | 43.8 | 17.0 | 11.0 | 22.2 |
Arron Afflalo (ORL) — 16 pts, 7 rebs, 6 assts
Jeremy Pargo (PHI) — 14 pts, 5/8 FGs
Orlando Magic (15-41) vs. Philadelphia 76ers (22-32)
7 p.m.
This will be game two for Beno Udrih in Orlando after he was traded from Milwaukee as part of the J.J. Redick deal. Udrih though could not be happier. He scored 10 points and recorded seven assists in his first game in Orlando. He played a lot looser and freer and was happy to have the opportunity. Udrih criticized Milwaukee for never really defining his role for him and giving him inconsistent playing time. For the struggling Magic, he will get that chance.
| Score | Time | Off. Rtg. | eFG% | O.Reb.% | TO% | FTR | |
| Sacramento | 129 | Final — 2OT | 117.9 | 59.1 | 29.8 | 15.4 | 28.0 |
| Miami | 141 | Pace: 96.5 | 121.0 | 60.4 | 23.5 | 10.4 | 23.8 |
Marcus Thornton (SAC) — 36 pts, 8/12 3FGs
LeBron James (MIA) — 40 pts, 16 assts, 8 rebs
Sacramento Kings (19-38) vs. Miami Heat (40-14)
7:30 p.m.
Sacramento mayor Kevin Johnson is reportedly very close to unveiling the group of investors who will make a competing bid for the Kings to keep the team in Sacramento. Of course the thing under running this whole this is the Maloofs agreeing to an arena deal and then backing out for various — shady — reasons. The deal Johnson and the new ownership group may come to for an arena deal may be vastly different. And this drama continues.
| Score | Time | Off. Rtg. | eFG% | O.Reb.% | TO% | FTR | |
| Cleveland | 101 | Pace: 88.4 | 114.3 | 52.5 | 36.1 | 11.8 | 23.5 |
| Chicago | 98 | Final | 110.6 | 55.8 | 29.7 | 15.1 | 19.2 |
Dion Waiters (CLE) — 25 pts, 10/16 FGs
Luol Deng (CHI) — 26 pts, 7 rebs
Cleveland Cavaliers (18-38) vs. Chicago Bulls (32-24)
8 p.m./NBATV
The Cavaliers have a lot of injury news to catch up on. First, and foremost, Kyrie Irving will miss tonight's game with a hyper-extended knee. Cleveland is probably correct to hold out its all star guard as he did not look quite right on the Florida road trip (which the team split). The Cavaliers also will be without Omri Casspi. He had an appendectomy while the team was in Orlando this weekend and stayed in Orlando while the Cavaliers played in Miami the following night.
| Score | Time | Off. Rtg. | eFG% | O.Reb.% | TO% | FTR | |
| Brooklyn | 101 | Pace: 85.9 | 117.6 | 56.6 | 31.6 | 14.3 | 23.7 |
| New Orleans | 97 | Final | 108.3 | 48.9 | 29.3 | 7.9 | 17.2 |
Deron Williams (BKN) — 33 pts, 8 assts
Greivis Vasquez (NOH) — 20 pts, 8 assts, 7 rebs
Brooklyn Nets (33-24) vs. New Orleans Hornets (20-37)
8 p.m.
The Hornets PR staff had some fun at Kris Humphries' expense. As if Humphries needed further reminder of his public wedding to one, Kim Kardashian. The Hornets included that little nugget of a note in their game notes this evening. The Nets PR staff is also known to have a little fun. Recently they noted that Brooklyn is 32-0 in games where they outscore their opponents. Now they are 33-0 in such games.
| Score | Time | Off. Rtg. | eFG% | O.Reb.% | TO% | FTR | |
| Milwaukee | 95 | Pace: 97.4 | 97.5 | 45.7 | 16.7 | 11.4 | 31.7 |
| Dallas | 90 | Final | 91.6 | 42.9 | 34.0 | 17.5 | 24.7 |
Monta Ellis (MIL) — 22 pts, 9 assts, 6 stls
Dirk Nowitzki (DAL) — 21 pts, 20 rebs
Milwaukee Bucks (26-28) vs. Dallas Mavericks (25-30)
8:30 p.m.
The Bucks suspended center Samuel Dalembert for tonight's game in Dallas after he was late to a team function. That might be the least of Milwaukee's concerns. Reports surfaced that Dallas will have interest in free-agent-to-be Brandon Jennings this offseason. The Bucks will still have the ability to match that offer. When the time comes, of course.
| Score | Time | Off. Rtg. | eFG% | O.Reb.% | TO% | FTR | |
| Minnesota | 83 | Final — OT | 78.3 | 37.2 | 23.1 | 14.4 | 27.8 |
| Phoenix | 84 | Pace: 92.5 | 82.2 | 43.4 | 28.6 | 17.8 | 15.4 |
Derrick Williams (MIN) — 21 pts, 12 rebs
Wesley Johnson (PHX) — 14 pts, 9 rebs
Minnesota Timberwolves (20-33) vs. Phoenix Suns (18-39)
9 p.m.
Hamed Haddadi was traded for the second time in a month as the Raptors forwarded him along to the Suns. Word was that part of the reason was visa difficulties for getting Haddadi clearance from his homeland in Iran. It has been a strange diplomatic issue that has only propped up in limited circumstances — like this one. Haddadi has chosen to honor his homeland by wearing No. 98, his country's international telephone code.
| Score | Time | Off. Rtg. | eFG% | O.Reb.% | TO% | FTR | |
| Charlotte | 84 | Final | 87.4 | 44.4 | 17.1 | 15.5 | 17.3 |
| L.A. Clippers | 106 | Pace: 93.4 | 113.4 | 61.8 | 23.1 | 14.6 | 34.2 |
Gerald Henderson (CHA) — 24 pts, 12/19 FGs
Blake Griffin (LAC) — 24 pts, 7 rebs, 6 assts
Charlotte Bobcats (33-43) vs. Los Angeles Clippers (40-18)
10:30 p.m.
If there is any more sign that the Clippers culture has changed, it is seen in a tweet Jamal Crawford sent out earlier today. Crawford called the Clippers the best organization he has been with top-to-bottom. When the wins are going well, even a blind dog finds a bone, I guess.
