The Golden State Warriors have already clinched the top seed in the Western Conference and the best record in the NBA, and are playing their last road game of the season against the New Orleans Pelicans, who are battling with the Thunder for the No. 8 seed in the West.
Projected Starting Lineups
Golden State Warriors (63-14)
G Stephen Curry – 23.6 ppg, 7.7 apg, 2.1 spg
G Klay Thompson – 21.5 ppg, 3.2 rpg
F Harrison Barnes – 10.1 ppg, 5.5 rpg
F Draymond Green – 11.6 ppg, 8.0 rpg
C Andrew Bogut – 6.3 ppg, 8.2 rpg
New Orleans Pelicans (41-35)
G Tyreke Evans –16.8 ppg, 6.6 apg
G Eric Gordon – 13.3 ppg, 3.9 rpg
G Quincy Pondexter – 9.1 ppg, 3.1 rpg
F Anthony Davis – 24.4 ppg, 10.3 rpg, 3.0 bpg
C Omer Asik – 7.4 ppg, 9.9 rpg
What to watch for:
New Orleans' Ball Movement
Pelicans starting point guard Jrue Holiday has been out since early January with a leg injury, and it doesn't look like he's going to return this season. New Orleans has gotten by with Tyreke Evans and Eric Gordon as their primary ball handlers, both both guys are natural off-ball players. When one of them plays like a true point guard and shares the ball, the Pelicans are at their best - but when they don't move the ball, New Orleans often loses.
How long will Golden State’s starters play?
The Warriors have already accomplished everything they possibly can this season, so now the focus is on staying healthy for the playoffs. In Golden State's last game against the Spurs, only one player (Stephen Curry) played more than 28 minutes, and that's because his backup Shaun Livingston was serving a one-game suspension. Expect Golden State's starters to play about 24 minutes each in this one.
Prediction: Pelicans win 103-99
Even though they're resting players, Golden State is still good enough and deep enough to keep this game close, but New Orleans has so much more to play for. That extra level of intensity will be enough for them to grab the victory down the stretch.
Back to the Golden State Warriors Newsfeed