NBA: Playoffs-New Orleans Pelicans at Golden State Warriors

The Golden State Warriors will look to grab a 2 game advantage before heading off to the Big Easy. New Orleans Pelicans head coach Monty Williams made a comment about the noise level and you can expect the Warriors fans to be even louder. Although Tyreke Evans was questionable, he’s good to go to help Anthony Davis. The Warriors will have their hands full with the Brow without David Lee once again.

1st Quarter

Klay Thompson was the first player from either team to get on the board, but the Pelicans went on a 5-0 run. The Warriors struggled to shoot the ball early on, but Steph Curry got going and and he cut the lead to one. Eric Gordon had a spectacular start to the quarter, he had 11 points in the first eight minutes of the game. He was shooting the rock very well and he was able to keep the Pelicans in the lead. That proved to be crucial for the Pelicans, as they went on a 14-2 run to end quarter. The Warriors went freezing cold, they worked extremely hard for their shots and couldn’t knock them down. Anthony Davis kept scoring down low and the Pelicans took a 28-17 lead into the second quarter.

2nd Quarter

The second quarter means it’s time for the second unit and they went off. The Warriors went on a 8-2 run, thanks to Leandro Barbosa and Marreese Speights. Iguodala also chipped in with a triple and you would think the Warriors would now be close to tie the game, but Norris Cole carried the team on his back. He scored the first nine points of the quarter for New Orleans and his scoring protected the Pelican lead. Oracle Arena was in a frenzy and then starters came back into the game. They traded baskets midway through the quarter, but Gordon continued his hot shooting and he knocked in another bucket to give the Pelicans a nine point lead. The Warriors responded with a 9-0 run after converted on an and-one and Klay Thompson hit back-to-back triples. Both teams scored down the stretch, but Curry hit a triple to give the Warriors a 55-52 lead going into the break.

 3rd Quarter

The Warriors usually thrive in the third quarter and Thompson dropped in two midrange jumpers for the Dubs. The Pelicans would not back down and tied the game up at 64. Bogut and Curry continue to play on the same page with a beautiful bounce pass from Bogut to a cutting Curry. Davis’ jumphook was successful and the Pelicans took the lead at 69-68. Mo Speights brought the energy and was taking charges and hustling for boards. At the end of three, the game was tied at 73. Curry had 22 while Davis countered with 20 of his own.

4th Quarter

Klay scored the first basket again; this time it was a baseline drive for a thunderous slam. Green’s triple and Livingston’s lay in brought excitement throughout the arena. Forcing the Pelicans to call a timeout, the Warriors pushed their lead to six. Draymond continues to be in the middle of the action, he found Iguodala for a transition alley-oop. With nearly eight minutes remaining, Curry re-entered the game. The Pelicans continued to pester and wouldn’t stray away.