The NBA Playoffs is finally here and the race for the Larry O’Brien trophy has never been this tighter. Sixteen teams remain in the hunt for that coveted award with the Golden State Warriors assuming the favorite tag after a record-setting regular season.
They will have a battle in their hands, though, in the first round as they will face the streaking New Orleans Pelicans. The Pelicans are back in the playoffs for the first time since 2011 after beating the Spurs in their final game of the season.
Can they pull off a shock and stun the Warriors? Or will Golden State live up to its lofty billing and brush aside the Pelicans’ challenge? Read on below for our preview of Game 1 of this Western Conference showdown and while you’re at it, you can check out our Game 1 previews of Atlanta vs. Brooklyn and Cleveland vs. Boston.
[sc:NBAArticles ]New Orleans Pelicans vs. Golden State Warriors Preview
Series Scores & Schedule
Game 1 — April 18, 3:30 PM ET, New Orleans Pelicans (+11.5) at Golden State Warriors (-11.5); total: 204.0 – view all NBA lines
Game 2 — April 20, 10:30 PM ET, New Orleans Pelicans at Golden State Warriors
Game 3 — April 23, 9:30 PM ET, Golden State Warriors at New Orleans Pelicans
Game 4 — April 25, 8:00 PM ET, Golden State Warriors at New Orleans Pelicans
Game 5 — April 28, Time TBD, New Orleans Pelicans at Golden State Warriors
Game 6 — May 1, Time TBD, Golden State Warriors at New Orleans Pelicans
Game 7 — May 3, Time TBD, New Orleans Pelicans at Golden State Warriors
Betting on the New Orleans Pelicans
New Orleans barged into the NBA Playoffs for the first time in four years after scoring a thrilling 108-103 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night. Anthony Davis had 31 points and 13 rebounds in the biggest game of his three-year NBA career as he helped the Pelicans book a first-round showdown with the league-leading Golden State Warriors.
[sc:NBA240banner ]The Pelicans will not be fazed one bit by that matchup, however, as they are coming off a morale-boosting victory against the defending champions last night. The Pelicans started the game like a house on fire, outscoring the Spurs, 34-19, in the first quarter. They shot an incredible 68 percent (15-of-22) during that period. They stretched that lead to 23 points midway through the second quarter but had to withstand a furious rally by the Spurs late on to seal the victory.
To no one’s surprise, it was Davis who made the biggest plays down the stretch for the Pelicans. He made a pair of clutch jumpers, blocked two shots and grabbed two huge rebounds in the dying minutes to preserve the all-important win. It has been that way all season for Davis who leads the Pelicans in scoring (24.3 PPG), rebounds (10.2 RPG) and blocked shots (2.9 BPG).
It wasn’t just a one-man show, though, for the Pelicans as four other players scored in double-figures for New Orleans. Tyreke Evans had 19 points while Eric Gordon chipped in 14 markers as well. Norris Cole and Jrue Holiday provided some offensive punch off the bench, scoring 13 and 11 points respectively.
They will need that same balanced offensive attack for them to upset the top-seeded Warriors in the upcoming series. More known for its offense, Golden State has proven to be one heck of a defensive team as well. They limit their opponents to just 42.8% shooting from the field, the lowest in the NBA this season.
The Pelicans are 4-6 in their last 10 road games.
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Betting on the Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors will enter the 2015 NBA Playoffs with momentum on their side after edging past the Denver Nuggets, 133-126, on Wednesday night. It was the fourth straight win for the Warriors who finished the season with a league-best 67-15 slate, the best regular season in franchise history.
Seven players scored in double-figures for the Warriors who shot an incredible 52.2% from the field against the Nuggets. Offense has been Golden State’s bread and butter this season with the Warriors averaging a whopping 110.0 PPG this campaign.
Leading the way for the Warriors is their deadly shooting duo of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. Curry has surged to the top of the MVP race, thanks in large part to his team-best averages of 23.8 points, 7.7 assists and 2.0 steals. Following closely behind in the scoring stakes is his Splash Brother Klay Thompson who’s putting up 21.7 PPG this season.
Much of the credit for the Warriors’ rise this year should go to their new head coach Steve Kerr. He’s the one responsible for transforming the Warriors into one of the best offensive teams in league history. Kerr has preached constant ball movement to his side since Day 1 and his team has certainly heeded, dishing out a league-best 27.4 dimes per game this season.
They will need that same kind of unselfish basketball if they are to eliminate the surging New Orleans Pelicans. They are 3-1 against the Pelicans this season, although they lost their last meeting against New Orleans on April 7, 103-100.
The Warriors were totally dominant in those three victories, outscoring the Pelicans by an average of 16.3 points. The Warriors had a total of 82 assists in those three wins and they will need that same kind of ball movement to breach a New Orleans defense that is allowing 98.6 points per game this season, 11th in the NBA.
The Warriors are 10-0 in their last 10 home games.
Writer’s Prediction
The Warriors (-11.5) crush the Pelicans in Game 1, 125-105.
Series: Golden State wins, 4-1.
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