The Golden State Warriors and the New Orleans Pelicans both saw their respective winning streaks come to a grinding halt on Sunday, suffering gut-wrenching defeats to San Antonio and Portland, respectively. They will look to return to winning ways later tonight when they square off in a Western Conference showdown at Smoothie King Center.
Read on below for a preview of this pivotal clash and while you’re at it, you can check out our preview of the game between the Atlanta Hawks and the Phoenix Suns here.
[sc:NBAArticles ]Golden State Warriors vs. New Orleans Pelicans Betting Preview
Where: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, Louisiana
When: Tuesday, April 7, 8:00 PM ET
Line: Golden State Warriors vs. New Orleans Pelicans – view all NBA lines
Betting on the Golden State Warriors
Golden State had its 12-game winning streak snapped on Sunday with a demoralizing 107-92 defeat to the San Antonio Spurs. The Warriors had no answer for Kawhi Leonard who put up career-high numbers in points (26) and steals (7).
[sc:NBA240banner ]It was Leonard’s work, however, on the defensive end especially against Stephen Curry that spelled doom for the Warriors. Curry scored 24 points but shot just 9-of-17 from the field. It didn’t help matters that his backcourt partner Klay Thompson also struggled offensively, shooting a woeful 3-of-11 from the floor.
Golden State has had a hard time dealing with the Spurs especially on the road. The Warriors have not won at San Antonio since February 14, 1997 with the Warriors losing by an average of 16.5 points prior to their blowout loss this past weekend. The Warriors team that showed up on Sunday was a far cry from the Golden State side that trounced their opponents by an average of 15.2 points during their lengthy winning streak.
For them to return to winning ways against the New Orleans Pelicans, they need to get their offensive rhythm back. The onus is on the Splash Brothers to set the tone for the Warriors. Curry and Thompson lead the Warriors in scoring this season, averaging 23.6 and 21.5 points per game respectively.
They will fancy their chances, however, of regaining their scoring touch against the Pelicans. Thompson is averaging 26.0 points in two games against the Pelicans this season. Curry, on the other hand, is averaging 23 points in three games with New Orleans this season.
The Warriors are 10-0 SU and 7-2-1 ATS in their last 10 meetings with the Pelicans.
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Betting on the New Orleans Pelicans
New Orleans’ playoff bid took a huge hit on Sunday as the Pelicans suffered a stinging 99-90 defeat to the Portland Trail Blazers. It snapped the Pelicans’ four-game unbeaten run as they remained half a game behind the Oklahoma City Thunder for that all-important eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
The Pelicans have every reason to be optimistic, though, of making the postseason and that is because of the outstanding play of Anthony Davis. Davis has been a beast for the Pelicans this season, averaging 24.4 points, 10.3 rebounds and 3.0 blocks per game, all of which are team-high numbers.
To demonstrate his excellence this campaign, Davis has already recorded 36 20-10 (points-rebounds) games this season. He had difficulty posting those same numbers, however, against the Blazers putting up just 19 points and nine boards in their last game. He shot just 8-of-20 from the field for a measly 40 percent clip, way below his shooting average of 53.6 percent.
Davis needs to be more efficient on the offensive end when they face the Western Conference leaders Golden State next. The Warriors allow opponents to shoot just 42.6 percent from the field, the best mark in the NBA.
Davis and the rest of the Pelicans need to take advantage of their size inside the shaded area. The Pelicans are fourth in the NBA in points inside the paint, with New Orleans averaging 45.0 PPG in that department. It’s paramount for the Pelicans to dictate the tempo of the game and not allow Golden State to run wild with its high-octane offense. The Warriors are No. 1 in fast break offense this season, averaging 20.6 PPG.
The Pelicans are 7-3 SU and 5-5 ATS in their last 10 home games.
Writer’s Prediction
New Orleans wins, 105-101.
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