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Analyzing each Golden State Warriors potential play-in opponent

By Charlie Cummings

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 18: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers is guarded by Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors during the first half at Staples Center on January 18, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 18: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers is guarded by Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors during the first half at Staples Center on January 18, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Potential play-in opponent: New Orleans Pelicans

Last, but not least, the Pels. With Zion Williamson out for the foreseeable future, and a tough schedule, chances have drastically slimmed before the weekend even began. Yet the chaos that is the stretch, especially the schedule of the Spurs, means they still have a slim landing spot.

If the chaos plays out, the Warriors may find themselves staring down the barrel of a fourth matchup with NOLA in a little over two weeks after not playing them from December to May.

Despite what coach Stan Van Gundy has discovered (or stumbled upon) in Point Zion, the Dubs have all the pieces and experience to counter a team like this.

Draymond Green, Andrew Wiggins and Juan Toscano-Anderson are the kind of smart defenders you need to keep Zion from getting to his spots. Though it seems unlikely he would be available for a potential play-in matchup, his demigod status means you can’t rule anything out.

They don’t have the veterans needed on the floor at all times to stop Steph from killing them. Though not a huge outlier based on his absurd run of play, Steph piled on 78 points in their back-to-back matchups.

Much like Zion, all five guys on the floor have to be conscious of Steph, and the Dubs just have more players who understand that. New Orleans also allowed Golden State to dictate the flow of the game in both matchups.

And at the end of the day, Steve Kerr can coach circles around Van Gundy. The strength of Steph and Draymond has recently been enough to beat up on this team, and it will be the decider if they face off for a fourth time with their seasons on the line.

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