Stephen Curry’s late-game heroics carried the all-conquering Golden State Warriors’ winning streak up to double-digits on Tuesday. But can Curry and his Warriors keep that streak alive when the monstrous Anthony Davis and the New Orleans Pelicans pay a visit to the Oracle? Find out with our full preview below.
Kickstarting the NBA’s Thursday night action, though, is LeBron James and his streaking Cleveland Cavaliers as they pay a visit to the Mecca of basketball, Madison Square Garden, to square off with Carmelo Anthony and the New York Knicks. Click here for a comprehensive preview of that Eastern Conference clash.
[sc:NBAArticles ]New Orleans Pelicans vs. Golden State Warriors Betting Preview
Where: Oracle Arena, Oakland
When: Thursday, December 4, 2014, 10:30 PM ET
Line: New Orleans Pelicans (+8) at Golden State Warriors (-8); total: 207.0 – view all NBA lines
Betting on the New Orleans Pelicans
The New Orleans Pelicans spoiled Kevin Durant’s season debut on Tuesday as they sent the Thunder crashing 112-104 at home to snap a three-game losing skid. It’s been a rough couple of weeks for the Pellies, who have played six of their last eight games on the road and came away with a 2-4 record. They now head to the West Coast for another three-game trip beginning in Golden State, where they’ve dropped three in a row.
[sc:NBA240banner ]The win against OKC was New Orleans’ first since the injury to Eric Gordon. In the previous three games without their starting shooting guard, the Pelicans had averaged just under 87 points and received a total of four points from stand-ins Darius Miller and Austin Rivers. Luke Babbitt got the start against the Thunder and contributed six in 15 minutes.
Anthony Davis, Tyreke Evans and Ryan Anderson have been doing much of the scoring for the Pelicans, with all three averaging over 20 points per game since Gordon’s injury. Point guard Jrue Holiday has also chipped in with 16. But when one of them has an off-day – which has been the case recently – the team has struggled to put up enough points.
Scoring will be tough to do against the Warriors and their top-ranked defense, and the Pelcicans supporting cast’s inability to provide their share of points could once again lead to the their downfall.
But there’s always the threat of a huge Anthony Davis game to bail the Pelicans out. After back-to-back 14-point outings against the Kings and Hawks, Davis is back posting double-doubles of over 25 points and 10 rebounds in his last two games.
Furthermore, the Pelicans are one of the best in taking away the three-pointer (they’re third in both opponent’s makes and attempts per game) which could be vital, given that the three is a big part of the Warriors’ offense.
The Pelicans are 3-6 on the road this season.
Betting on the Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors were given a major scare by the Orlando Magic on Tuesday night, but a clutch Stephen Curry three-pointer bailed the Warriors out as they scored another home win, 98-97. The Dubs extended their winning streak to 10 games (but have gone just 6-4 against the spread), and improved to 6-1 at home.
It was the first time Golden State failed to top 100 points at home. They had entered the game averaging 113 points per game, the second-highest output at home only behind the Mavs, and a 12-point average margin of victory.
Injuries and regression have cooled off Klay Thompson’s hot start to the season. He’s averaging just 17 points per game and shooting just under 42 percent over his last seven games. But his Splash Brother, Stephen Curry, has picked up the slack with 25 in his last five games on a sizzling 53 percent shooting.
Golden State may not need to put up that many points if its now trademark defense can put the clamps on the Pelicans. Andrew Bogut is one of the best post defenders in the game capable of at least slowing Davis down, while Draymond Green is the sort of mobile defender that can effectively contest Ryan Anderson’s many perimeter looks.
Slowing either of those two down will be a major plus for the Warriors against a Pelicans team lacking in reliable offensive weapons as it is.
The Warriors are 7-0 in their last seven meetings with the Pelicans.
Writer’s Prediction
The Warriors cruise to their 11th straight win as they cover at home against the Pelicans. Create a betting account now and cash in on the hottest team on the hardwood today.
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