Pelica Debrief
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2015 NBA Playoffs: New Orleans Pelicans vs. Golden State Warriors roundtable

By Matt Cianfrone

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Dec 14, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) is guarded by New Orleans Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday (11) during the fourth quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Warriors defeated the Pelicans 128-122 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

How many games does Jrue Holiday start in the series? 

Joe McAloon (@JoeMcAloon1): I don’t think initially Jrue will start. But if a couple of games in it becomes clear that he needs to be out there because of Splash Brothers related problems, then I have no problem making the switch. It is much more important to me who finishes the game rather than who starts it, and as we saw against San Antonio, Jrue was out there for the finish. He will play a tremendous role in this series regardless. He is a top 3-5 defender in the league at his position, and we will need every bit of that to try to contain the Golden State backcourt.

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    • Charles LaRocca (@CLaRoccaJR): If Jrue does start in this series it will not be unless the Pelicans are down 0-2 and the Warriors are getting out to big leads early. Jrue will still most likely be on a minute restriction but I anticipate it being closer to the San Antonio game than the Phoenix and Houston games. To me there is no way Jrue is not out on the floor at the end of the game if it is close and that is all that really matters. Now if the Warriors guards are shredding us in the first quarter in the first two games, which is entirely possible because of how good they are at home, then I see Monty making the switch

    Rick Stone (@RickStoneNBA): It honestly depends. The success of the starting unit along with Jrue’s recent play being paired with the backups suggest Monty Williams will probably keep Jrue with the bench unit initially. However, Stephen Curry will cause problems for Tyreke Evans or Eric Gordon. If Curry starts going supernova in the first couple games, Monty will have to adjust and put Jrue in with the starters if he wants to make this a competitive series. Whether he replaces Tyreke or Gordon would remain to be seen, but with the kind of season Steph has been having, it would not be surprising at all if Jrue’s time on the floor was primarily when Curry was on the floor at the same time.

    Matt Cianfrone (@Matt_Cianfrone): I think three. I just think that the Pelicans won’t have enough defensively against the Warriors starters without Jrue in the lineup and if you fall behind this Warriors team it is a ton of trouble. Monty may try to get a game or two with Eric Gordon in the starting lineup but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him get lit up by Klay Thompson or the Pelicans get hurt by cross-matching in transition leading to Jrue’s insertion into the starting lineup to try to slow down Stephen Curry.

    Next: Reke or Steph?

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