For 44 minutes, this 45 win, 8th seed New Orleans team battled the 67 win, league-best Warriors to practically a draw (88-86). For the last four minutes, a lack of experience, depth, and stamina allowed Golden State to go on a 9-1 run, ultimately winning 97-87.
The Pelicans will head back to New Orleans down two games to none, just as most people expected against a team that finished the regular season 39-2 at home. What few people expected is that New Orleans stayed within 5 points of Golden State late in both contests. The Warriors, a top-10 regular season team of all-time based on scoring margin, were legitimately challenged by a young, scrappy Pelicans team in their own house for two consecutive games.