The Golden State Warriors maintained home-court advantage by winning the first two games of the series at home, but New Orleans Pelicans are proving to be a much tougher team then many thought they'd be. Can the Pelicans break through and get their first win of the series, or will the Warriors take a commanding 3-0 lead?
Projected Starting Lineups
(1) Golden State Warriors (67-15)
G Stephen Curry – 23.8 ppg, 7.7 apg, 2.1 spg
G Klay Thompson – 21.7 ppg, 3.2 rpg
F Harrison Barnes – 10.1 ppg, 5.5 rpg
F Draymond Green – 11.7 ppg, 8.2 rpg
C Andrew Bogut – 6.3 ppg, 8.1 rpg
(8) New Orleans Pelicans (45-37)
G Jrue Holiday – 14.8 ppg, 6.9 rpg
G Tyreke Evans –16.6 ppg, 6.6 apg, 5.3 rpg
G Eric Gordon – 13.4 ppg, 3.8 apg
F Anthony Davis – 24.4 ppg, 10.2 rpg, 2.9 bpg
C Omer Asik – 7.3 ppg, 9.8 rpg
What to watch for:
Can New Orleans get off to a fast start?
The Pelicans fell behind by double-digits early in Game 1, and they were never able to really threaten the Warriors as a result. In Game 2, it was New Orleans who held the lead early, and they nearly pulled off the upset. If the Pelicans can gain confidence and get their crowd into the game with a fast start, they'll have a good chance to win this game.
Can Draymond Green continue to effectively guard Anthony Davis?
Anthony Davis has had monstrous performances in both games this series, but Golden State has been able to limit him when Draymond Green defends him. Davis only has 18 points on 6/18 shooting while being guarded by Green, while he's scored 43 points on 16/27 shooting when being guarded by someone else. If Green can continue to limit Davis' production, the Warriors will win easily.
Prediction: Pelicans win 102-101
New Orleans has been playing good enough to win a game in this series sooner rather than later, and I think that win comes in their first home playoff game.
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