2015 NBA Playoffs: Warriors vs. Pelicans Series Preview & Prediction

The Golden State Warriors absolutely dominated the NBA this season, posting the fourth best regular season record in league history behind the play of MVP frontrunner Stephen Curry and first year head coach Steve Kerr.

The New Orleans Pelicans sneaked into the playoffs with a surprising win over the San Antonio Spurs in their regular season finale, and are led by rising superstar Anthony Davis.

Golden State won the season series 3-1 between these two teams.

Projected Starting Lineups

(1) Golden State Warriors (67-15)

G Stephen Curry – 23.8 ppg, 7.7 apg, 2.1 spg
G Klay Thompson – 21.7 ppg, 3.2 rpg
F Harrison Barnes – 10.1 ppg, 5.5 rpg
F Draymond Green – 11.7 ppg, 8.2 rpg
C Andrew Bogut – 6.3 ppg, 8.1 rpg

(8) New Orleans Pelicans (45-37)

G Jrue Holiday – 14.8 ppg, 6.9 rpg

G Tyreke Evans –16.6 ppg, 6.6 apg, 5.3 rpg
G Eric Gordon – 13.4 ppg, 3.8 apg
F Anthony Davis – 24.4 ppg, 10.2 rpg, 2.9 bpg
C Omer Asik – 7.3 ppg, 9.8 rpg

What to watch for:

How will Golden State guard Anthony Davis?

Davis poses a matchup problem for every team in the league, and it'll be interesting to see how the Warriors try to stop him. He's too fast to be guarded by big men Andrew Bogut or David Lee, and he's too tall to be guarded by forwards Draymond Green or Harrison Barnes. Look for the Warriors to double-team him in the post and force the rest of the Pelicans to beat them.

Splash Brothers vs. Pelicans Backcourt

After Davis, the Pelicans rely on their trio of guards to make plays because they don't be much production from anyone else. Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson are undoubtedly the best backcourt in the league, and while the Warriors can hurt you from anywhere on the court, the "Splash Brothers" are the two that set the tempo for the rest of the team. If New Orleans' backcourt can produce and neutralize what Curry and Thompson do, they'll give themselves a puncher's chance.

Prediction: Warriors win 4-1

Anthony Davis is good enough to carry the Pelicans to one win in this series, but they're not good enough as a team to challenge someone as good as the Warriors.

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