Game Info
- Tip Off: 7:30 PM PST
- Television: CSNBayHD
New Orleans Pelicans Team Profile
- Offensive Efficiency: 105.4 (7th in NBA)
- Defensive Efficiency: 103.7 (22nd in NBA)
Scope the Opposition: Bourbon Street Shots.
Preview: The Golden State Warriors (13-12) suffered a tough loss at the hands of the Phoenix Suns (14-9) in their last contest. The Dubs’ late-game execution left much to be desired and it cost them.
The Warriors are far too reliant on perimeter isolations in crunch time and consequently, they end up firing contested jumpers from long range in these situations. Because of the penchant for jump shots, David Lee is often the forgotten man.
Although Lee has not quite been the player Warriors fans have grown accustomed to in previous seasons, he has still demonstrated the ability to beat defenders off the bounce for scores at the rim. Also, his post-up game is refined enough that he can consistently create a high-percentage look against most defenders.
And yet, the coaching staff keeps calling for two-man actions involving perimeter players. It’s worth noting that Golden State operates far better in transition and/or semi-transition in the clutch because they create terrific long-range looks.
Indeed, out on the break, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson benefit from open shots and typically hit them with great frequency. In the half court, they are far too predictable and thus, they tend to get corralled.
Put it all together and their clutch offense is in the league’s bottom third per NBA.com. That’s kind of pertinent given that the Warriors have played the sixth most amount of clutch minutes in the league entering tonight’s tilt with the New Orleans Pelicans (11-11).
Their failures on this front are part of the reason that Golden State is viewed as a disappointment through the first quarter of the season. The Dubs have a chance to bounce back tonight, but the opponent is a tough one.
New Orleans recently started a five-game western road trip and Golden State is the second stop on their voyage. The Pelicans opened the traveling schedule with a defeat at the hands of the Denver Nuggets last Sunday.
The Pellies have looked good for the most part this year and their contest against Golden State should be an entertaining one. The last time these squads met, the Warriors combined a punishing interior attack with some decent 3-point shooting to secure a one-point victory on the road.
Nawlins matched Golden State in terms of point production and long-range shooting, which gave them a shot at a victory. In the absence of Anthony Davis (sidelined with injury), it’s possible that the Pelicans will not be able to reproduce the interior scoring output from the first meeting, but NOLA still benefits from the great equalizer: the long ball.
They are a top-five 3-point shooting team and will have to match or even possibly surpass Golden State on this front tonight to steal the game at Oracle Arena.
Andre Iguodala injury note: Monte Poole CSN Bay Area is reporting that Andre Iguodala might make his return from a hamstring injury tonight against the Pelicans.
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