The Basketball Investment Package is 29-11 overall in the NBA Playoffs and now turns the attention to The Western Conference semifinal which switches venues from out west to the Big Easy.
The second-seeded Golden State Warriors are on the road looking to put a stranglehold on their series with the sixth-seeded New Orleans Pelicans in Game 3 of their best of seven series Friday night. Golden State took the first two games of the series, winning 123-101 at home in Game 1 Saturday and Game 2 by a 121-116 count at home Tuesday night. The Warriors lead the all-time regular season series 34-20 and took the regular season series 3-1 though New Orleans won the last meeting 126-120 here on April 7. Golden State swept the only previous playoff series between the teams, giving them a 6-0 advantage in head to head playoff victories.
Golden State Warriors Seek 3-0 Series Advantage
Golden State didn’t have as one-sided a victory as they did in Game 1 but they still managed to earn a 2-0 series lead by holding off the Pelicans in a high scoring affair. It remains to be seen if the Warriors will be worn down a bit playing at the pace of New Orleans in the first two games of the series. Golden State did get one of their biggest weapons back as Stephen Curry returned to the rotation after missing time with a knee injury. Coach Steve Kerr said Wednesday that, after playing Game 2 in a reserve role, Curry will be in the starting lineup for Game 3. Can the Warriors put their foot on the throats of the Pelicans with a win here?
The Warriors are shooting 47.8 percent from the field in the postseason as a team this year. Golden State is converting 10.1 three pointers a game despite shooting only 34.3 percent from beyond the arc. The Warriors have been good at the charity stripe, cashing in 81.4 percent of their chances so far. In Game 2, Golden State shot 47.3 percent from the field and converted 13 of 40 three point attempts. The Warriors cashed in 22 of 27 free throw attempts and overcame 16 turnovers in the win. Kevin Durant led Golden State with 29 points in the victory. Curry came off the bench to score 28 points while Draymond Green added 20 points, nine rebounds and 12 assists. Andre Iguodala contributed 15 points plus eight boards and Klay Thompson put up 10 though he shot only four of 20 from the floor in the contest. Kevon Looney has made the most of his minutes as he’s replaced JaVale McGee with eight points and eight rebounds in 23 minutes.
New Orleans Pelicans Look to Halve Series Deficit In Return Home
New Orleans had their chances to take Game 2 but they were unable to come up with enough plays on either end to come up with the victory. The Pelicans now find themselves in a 2-0 hole, which is a foreign concept to them after sweeping the Trail Blazers in the first round. New Orleans pushed the tempo and forced the Warriors to adapt to their up-tempo style but it didn’t pay dividends in the win column. Can Alvin Gentry get the Pelicans back on track and pick up a victory in order to make it a 2-1 series or will they be staring at elimination?
The Pelicans are shooting the ball well in the postseason as they are hitting 49.4 percent from the field as a team. New Orleans is hitting 10.2 three pointers a game while shooting 37.7 percent from three point range in the playoffs. The Pelicans are hitting 78.5 percent at the line as a team so far. In Game 2, New Orleans shot 45.7 percent from the floor and went 13 of 37 from beyond the arc while converting seven of nine free throw attempts. Anthony Davis led the Pelicans with 25 points, 15 rebounds, five assists, two steals and three blocks in the loss. Jrue Holiday put up 24 points, eight rebounds and eight assists while Rajon Rondo had 22 points, seven rebounds, 12 assists plus five steals. Nikola Mirotic added 18 points plus nine rebounds before fouling out while E’Twaun Moore had 14. The Pelicans didn’t get much from their bench: their reserves were outscored 44-13.
Trends:
Golden State
- Warriors are 2-10 ATS in their last 12 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600
New Orleans
- Pelicans are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 home games
- Pelicans are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game
- Pelicans are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game
The Warriors get a big boost by having Curry back and he’s going to be back in the starting lineup for this one. He had a solid game in Game 2, which was important for Golden State, especially with Thompson firing up bricks all over the place. New Orleans returns home for this one and they have to hope that their pace takes a toll on the Warriors. Davis is going to have to carry the team on his back but playing at home, that should work in the Pelicans’ favor.
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