The Pelicans should be encouraged heading into games 3 and 4
By Joshua Lea
The events of game two have to leave the Pelicans encouraged, they fought hard and valiantly against the might Golden State Warriors. Now, the series will shift to NOLA.
The New Orleans Pelicans and Golden State Warriors will face-off in games three and four. New Orleans will get the comfort of home playing in the Smoothie King Center. Not only that, Anthony Davis and company can relish in the fact that they played well with Golden State in game two. Despite the fact that Stephen Curry got loose, NOLA was within striking distance from winning that game throughout.
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr is planning on starting Curry for game three. Curry came off the bench in game two to score 28. However, the Pelicans will likely go round-for-round in game three. The NOLA crowd will be fired up for these games. That should give the Pelicans a B-12 shot capable of beating the Warriors.
Normally, this is the part where the writer offers a hot take or an analytical breakdown of what the Pelicans can do to win the next game. Honestly, I believe in game two they did everything properly. Granted, they didn’t win the game, but, they avoided the Warriors going on a massive scoring run.
The free-throw shooting was heavily one-sided in game two.
Davis was a problem for Draymond Green. Davis shot 12-of-24 for 25 points without a single free-throw shot.
In fact, the Pelicans shot just nine free throws to the Warriors 27 in game two. I’m not the type to blame the referees in sporting events. I think blaming the officials is a cop-out. Usually, the refs do not cause a team to win or lose.
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However, in this game, that fact that Davis didn’t shoot a free throw while being guarded by Green is alarming. Not only does Green have a reputation for being a dirty player, the two were entangled on the block throughout game two. I would expect for the foul calls to be less one-sided in game three.
If the Pelicans continue to play their game at their current pace and make timely shots, games three and four could very well be Pelicans wins. The Warriors can’t stop Davis in the same way the Pelicans can’t stop Curry. The Defense on Klay Thompson in game two was exceptional. However, Kevin Durant, Curry, and Green scored 20 points or more.
Which Warriors players require the most attention on defense?
This, of course, is something the Pelicans will have to address. Ideally, you don’t mind if Green scores 20 points against you. However, you can’t have Durant and Curry have 20 or more. It’s different from the days where your game plan was to simply let one play carry the scoring load and shut the role players down. The Warriors, as you very well know, have too many weapons.
Stopping Curry and Durant, or containing them, should be the foundation of the Pelicans defensive scheme. The Warriors use multiple screens. It reminds me of when Reggie Miller played for the Indiana Pacers. He would run through a series of low post screens to break free, then catch-and-shoot off a pick-and-roll. The Indiana Pacers truly played beautiful basketball in the mid-nineties.
I’m certain head coach Alvin Gentry will have a plan in motion to combat the fact that the Warriors are starting Curry for game three. I’m spitballing here, but, Rajon Rondo should be the one to guard Curry. That would put Jrue Holiday guarding Thompson. Everything else will basically remain the same as far as matchups are concerned. Although, I was wrong about the possibility of JaVale McGee playing in this series, which is fine.
Next: NOLA's pace of play could be a problem for Curry
Game three of this series will be on Friday at 7 pm CT. Expect for the crowd at the Smoothie King Center to be fired up. There is plenty of NOLA music out there to get you ready for the game. I would suggest one of my personal favorites, ‘I want it’ or ‘Hottest of the hot’ by B.G. That is, of course, if you’re into the rap/hip-hop genre.