4 Things the Warriors Need to Figure Out for Game Three

After winning the first two games of the series at home, the Golden State Warriors will travel to New Orleans to face the Pelicans in Game 3 of their first round matchup on Thursday night.

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Game One was dominated by the Warriors before a feverish comeback by the Pelicans made it too close for comfort. Unexpectedly in Game Two, the Pelicans jumped out to an early lead, and the Warriors had to fight back to avoid a 1-1 series split. The Pelicans played well all night long, but the Warriors depth reigned supreme.

As we look to Game Three, there are some things the Warriors need to figure out.

1. Anthony Davis

Everyone knows that the key for the Pelicans is Anthony Davis. Davis finished with 26 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, and two blocks in the Pelicans’ Game Two defeat, and while Draymond Green did a great job on him in the fourth quarter, the Warriors need to put together 48 great minutes against Davis. Davis is of course the Pelicans best player and is one of the best players in the league, and while they might not be able to completely stop him, they need to try and contain him.

2. The Rest of the Pelicans

Eric Gordon also played quite well Monday night, finishing with 23 points on 9-of-19 shooting from the field, knocking down 5 three pointers. But besides for Davis and Gordon, the Pelicans are struggling to find consistent offense from anyone. Tyreke Evans played well Monday night, putting up a near triple double with 16 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists, but he looked limited with a knee contusion which caused him to miss the second half of Game One. Omer Asik has had a horrendous start to the playoffs, and Quincy Pondexter struggled with his shooting, going just 1-of-8 from the field after a surprising Game One performance.

The Pelicans need more production from the point guard position as well. Jrue Holiday’s limited play has hurt the Pelicans’ chances of winning the series dramatically. He is one of the better point guard defenders in the league, and the fact that he missed Game Two completely does not bode well for the Pelicans in Game Three.

April 20, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30, right) dribbles the basketball against New Orleans Pelicans guard Norris Cole (30, left) during the fourth quarter in game two of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Pelicans 97-87. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

3. Pelicans’ Bench

It’s pretty clear that the Pelicans don’t have enough depth to really contend with the Warriors. But as we look to Game Three, the Pelicans just need their bench to play the Warriors’ bench to a standstill to give them a chance to win. The Pelicans blitzed the Dubs early in Game Two and it was not until the Warriors’ second unit came in and drastically outplayed the Pelicans’ bench, that the tables began to turn. Once the Warriors’ bench got into a rhythm, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson came back in and did Curry and Thompson-esque things.

4. Home Court Advantage

Home-court advantage might be a huge difference maker for the Pelicans in Game Three. If the starters for New Orleans play like they played Monday night, the Pelicans have a shot. The Pelicans win over the San Antonio Spurs last week had a playoff-like atmosphere, and after the game, both teams mentioned just how important the crowd was to the game. If the Pelicans’ starters blitz the Dubs again and jump out to an early lead, then the Warriors might actually drop Game Three.

Next: Game Two Takeaways

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