Though they currently find themselves down 0-2 in this best of seven semifinals match-up the New Orleans Pelicans come into tonight’s game against the Golden State Warriors with hopes of making this a series again. With this in mind, however, there are a few things that need to be known before tip-off commences at 8:00 PM, ET.
88
The last time New Orleans played a game at the Smoothie King Center, collectively Anthony Davis and Jrue Holiday put up 88 out of their teams 131 points. Mathematically speaking, the duo was responsible for 67% of their teams point total. What’s more impressive is that they managed to do this in a series clinching game four against the third seeded Portland Trailblazers. Coming into tonight’s game three, confidence may be on the side of the New Orleans Pelicans, as they’ve been nothing less than stellar on their home court as of late.
102.7
During the regular season the New Orleans Pelicans were one of the top teams in regards to game pace. Scratch that, they were THE best team in regards to game pace. Out of all 32 NBA teams NOLA led the league in this category with an impressive average of 102.7. Golden State, interestingly enough, ranked fifth in the league with an average pace of 101.8. This series alone, New Orleans has upped their pace of play by three possessions. Because of this, Warriors star guard Klay Thompson has gone on to say that playing against the Pelicans has been a “tiring” experience. If the Pelicans can keep up this pace of play, Golden State could find themselves gasping for air come the fourth quarter, which could help the Pelicans garner their first win of the series.
278-19
Out of 297 recorded teams to face an 0-2 deficit in a best of seven playoff series, only 19 have ended up prevailing. Since 2012, only five teams have been able to accomplish such a feat- the Oklahoma City Thunder, Memphis Grizzlies, Portland Trailblazers, Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics. While the odds are stacked against the Pelicans, as history will tell you, it’s not an impossible task to accomplish. It’s similar to an author writing a novel. They don’t just simply sit down and write an entire book in one sitting. They take it page by page, chapter by chapter. As for the New Orleans Pelicans, this too has to be their mindset. They cannot think to themselves “how are we going to win this series”, they must think “how are we going to win this game?”
Next: The interesting and mysterious case of the NBA versus Anthony Davis
Chapter one of their comeback story beings tonight at 8:00 PM, ET on ESPN. As always, GO PELS!