Thompson’s splashy scoring leads Warriors past Pacers 120-83

Much has been made about the insane concentration of talent in Golden State now, and how we could see a level of basketball previously thought impossible, but that thinking downplays how the Warriors were already the best regular season team ever before Durant arrived.

James Harden had 28 points and 11 assists to help the Houston Rockets to a 99-96 victory against the Detroit Pistons. Thompson scored 10 points as Golden State jumped ahead 34-19 in the quarter. It was almost 22, too, as moments later, Curry got the ball at the opposing free throw line and fired up a 70-foot heave that dropped, much to the pleasure of the crowd, which was filled with #30 Curry jerseys. He made all nine free throws and added five steals and three blocks.

And Draymond Green has been playing great defense through 14 games, which has come to be expected of the Warriors’ All-Star. If it has lagged, it’s not because Golden State doesn’t have the ability to be a Top 10 defensive team. They’ve regressed in several areas, need to improve in others, and their offense isn’t completely humming yet, given that players like Thompson and Green have started the season slowly.

Very quietly, coach Steve Kerr has been espousing a theory as to why his Warriors – perhaps the most worried-over 11-2 team in league history – have not been up to snuff defensively this year.

The Pacers were undermanned and soundly defeated by the Golden State Warriors 120-83.

The Indiana Pacers got away with a win in Oklahoma City, with a 115-111 overtime victory on Sunday. Thaddeus Young recorded a double-double performance with 20 points and 11 rebounds. They’re now giving up 103.6 points per 100 possessions, 15th in the league.

The anti-climactic visit from the Warriors quickly changed the conversation to injury news and hopes that at least PG and Turner will return for Atlanta on Wednesday. F Paul George (L ankle sprain) and G C.J. Miles (L knee soreness) were listed as questionable and declared out. They won close calls as well as blowouts, won with Stephen Curry off his game, won in ways that only championship-caliber teams do, which is to say they found ways to avoid loss even as they felt its breath. That stuff is a popularity contest, so my campaign starts now: Draymond Green for Defensive Player of the Year.

Especially when Thompson plays in Indiana.

The Indiana Pacers did not receive a lot of production on the offensive end from their starting lineup.

Glen Robinson III thought he had an easy layup after Monta Ellis slashed through the lane and set him up, but Durant came out of nowhere to erase the shot.

Yet healthy teams can hardly keep up with Golden State, let alone hobbled ones. The Warriors are a team on a streak right now, winning seven consecutive games.