After failing to make a solid run at the Larry O’Brien Trophy in three seasons under Mark Jackson, the Warriors handed the reins to rookie coach Steve Kerr, a move that appears to have paid immediate dividends.
Kerr was able to get the most out of his dynamic backcourt with Steph Curry and Klay Thompson both earning spots on the Western Conference all-star team. But any notion the Warriors are purely an offensive team couldn’t be farther from the truth. Anchored by Andrew Bogut down low, Golden State boasts the NBA’s most efficient defence, surrendering only 98.2 points per 100 possessions.
Opposing this juggernaut is the Anthony Davis-led New Orleans Pelicans, who overcame a plethora of injuries to key players to reach the playoffs on the final day of the regular season. In fact, Monty Williams’ group has essentially been playing post-season basketball since the all-star break.
Marquee matchup: Steph Curry vs. Anthony Davis
This isn’t a conventional matchup as Curry plays point guard and Davis most definitely doesn’t (at least, not anymore). But each of these teams will only go as far as their respective MVP candidates take them. Curry has done it all for the Warriors this season, shooting nearly 50 percent from the floor, 44 percent from beyond the arc and 91 percent from the charity stripe. He somehow managed to elevate his game to an even higher level after All-Star Weekend, connecting on 52 percent of his threes in the second half of the season.
In just his third season in the NBA, Davis is already a bona fide superstar, posting ridiculous averages of 24.2 points, 10.2 rebounds and 2.9 blocks per game. In addition to shooting 54 percent from the field, he hit free throws at an 81 percent clip, something that sets him apart from most other young big men. Despite their defensive prowess, Golden State doesn’t have anyone with the quickness and size to hang with Davis on the inside, so it will be all hands on deck to try to slow down this beast.
Role player to watch – Golden State: Marreese Speights
Speights may not have Davis’s flashy moves and freakish athleticism, but he is ultra effective during his 16 minutes per game. In that limited run, the seven-year veteran chips in around 10 points and boasts the third-highest player efficiency rating on the best team in the NBA.
Role player to watch – New Orleans: Ryan Anderson
Anderson was knocked out of commission from the end of February to the beginning of April due to a knee injury, but he’s back in the lineup and playing an important role off the bench for this Pelicans squad. The former first-round pick is a perfect offensive complement to Davis, as he stretches the floor with his long-distance shooting. Although Anderson posted the lowest three-point percentage of his career in 2014-15, the Warriors still have to respect the threat, opening up more space for Davis to operate.
Season series: Warriors won 3-1.
Warriors stats leaders:
Points: Stephen Curry (23.8)
Assists: Stephen Curry (7.7)
Rebounds: Draymond Green (8.2)
Pelicans stats leaders:
Points: Anthony Davis (24.4)
Assists: Jrue Holiday (6.9)
Rebounds: Anthony Davis (10.2)
Prediction: Warriors in five.
NBA playoff previews: Cavaliers vs. Celtics | Bulls vs. Bucks | Rockets vs. Mavericks | Warriors vs. Pelicans | Hawks vs. Nets | Trail Blazers vs. Grizzlies | Clippers vs. Spurs |