Instant Warriors analysis: Butler, Horford take over against hobbled Pacers

SAN FRANCISCO With back-to-back away losses behind them and a brutal six-game road trip lying ahead the Warriors took advantage of the organization s only home encounter in a -day stretch on Sunday evening Golden State won - in what was mostly a rock-fight of a basketball championship until late in the third quarter Jimmy Butler led the squad with points while Moses Moody scored Brandin Podziemski had and Quinten Post scored High-energy rookie Will Richard poured in on a series of cuts and free throws The Warriors led - at halftime despite shooting from the field and just of from behind the arc They shot just of from the free throw line overall The teams were tied deep into the third quarter when the Warriors embarked on a - Butler Al Horford and Moody-fueled run to break the encounter open The visiting Pacers the reigning Eastern Conference champion came to San Francisco decimated by injuries Nine different players were ruled out including four regular starters The Warriors were not totally healthy either Steph Curry missed his third consecutive championship while recovering from an illness However the face of the franchise was an functioning participant on the sidelines while wearing white sweatpants and a jacket Curry sat next to the coaches and could be seen having conversations with teammates during timeouts Coach Steve Kerr reported he hopes Curry will be ready to play when the Warriors - excursion to Oklahoma City on Tuesday Horford impact Golden State Warriors Al Horford battles Indiana Pacers' Jeremiah Robinson-Earl for a rebound in the first quarter of their NBA challenge at Chase Center in San Francisco Calif on Sunday Nov Jose Carlos Fajardo Bay Area News Group If Al Horford was feeling the effects of a sore left foot that held him out of Friday s tournament he did not show it against Indiana After missing all seven of his shots against Sacramento on Wednesday Horford was of from behind the arc and scored points He also dished out an assist while grabbing four rebounds in minutes Horford played the role the Warriors need him to thrive in if the gang is to succeed this season Horford s offense was stellar but his defense was just as impressive He racked up three blocks and influenced a handful of other shots using timing rather than athleticism to protect the rim Slow start Despite facing a skeleton crew the Warriors offense looked like it was playing an elite defensive unit in the first quarter They shot just of making of -pointers Turnovers as have often been the event set the offense back The Warriors had four giveaways which led the way to seven Pacers points and greased the wheels for a similarly sluggish Pacers attack of Kuminga s shooting struggles Indiana Pacers' Cody Martin battles for a loose ball with Golden State Warriors Jonathan Kuminga in the first quarter of their NBA event at Chase Center in San Francisco Calif on Sunday Nov Jose Carlos Fajardo Bay Area News Group With a little under six minutes left in the second quarter Jonathan Kuminga cut along the baseline on the fastbreak before skying for a lob from Podziemski The Chase Center crowd desperate to cheer for something in a competition still stuck in the s rose to their feet in unison They promptly returned to their seats disappointed when Kuminga was unable to finish the dunk After shooting just of against Denver Kuminga struggled to put the ball in the basket for the second consecutive night despite receiving a bundle of opportunities with Curry sitting He did not play in the fourth quarter Podziemski was not a flamethrower from the field shooting just of and rarely putting pressure on the defense as a driver However he remained effective as one of the organization s limited effective ballhandlers and was part of the unit that expanded the fourth quarter led to Moody provides a spark In a match where every possession was a slog Moses Moody s four-point play late in the third quarter brought the crowd to life He collected the ball in front of the company s bench and hoisted a desperation triple while being fouled by Monte Morris Moody turned to exult in his teammates ensuing celebration and the following made free throw helped Golden State take a -point lead into the fourth quarter Flashing an improved -point stroke that has helped him shoot from behind the arc Moody made of triples and scored off the bench Much like Horford his strength on defense was infectious and helped turn the match around