2015 NBA Playoffs: New Orleans Pelicans vs. Golden State Warriors Series Preview
Apr 7, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) dunks over Golden State Warriors center
Marreese Speights(5) during the fourth quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Warriors 103-100. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Projected rotations:
Golden State:
PG Stephen Curry
PF Draymond Green
SF Andre Iguodala
PF Marreese Speights
SG/SF Justin Holiday
New Orleans:
PG Tyreke Evans
SG Eric Gordon
SF Quincy Pondexter
PF Anthony Davis
PG Jrue Holiday
PG Norris Cole
SF/PF Dante Cunningham
There is a bit of intriguing thing to watch here as it remains to be seen what the Pelicans will get out of Jrue Holiday in this series, and the answer to that question is going to be something that could swing how many games the Pelicans can win in the series.
Holiday gave the Pelicans 25 quality minutes on Wednesday night against the Spurs and if he is truly off of a minutes restriction as it seems that will be a big deal against a Warriors team with great offensive weapons on the wing.
What remains to be seen though is if Holiday will be reinserted into the starting lineup at any point. Doing so would give the Pelicans an actual above-average defender to match up with either Curry or Klay Thompson but there are risks. The starting lineup of Holiday, Gordon, Pondexter, Davis and Asik has played very well for the second half of the season and removing one of those guys could throw off the great rhythm the Pelicans have found.
It may make more sense to have Holiday come off the bench and give the Pelicans starters level minutes for whichever of the three is struggling or to defend Curry or Thompson if they get hot.
Next: The keys