Golden State Warriors: Comprehensive Game Preview with Pelicans Reporter Terry Kimble
The Golden State Warriors meet the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday in what shapes as another vitally important matchup for both teams. The defending champions are coming off a brutal loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday, and a win over the Pelicans is simply imperative if they wish to finish sixth in the Western Conference.
Sunday’s loss was compounded on Monday when a plethora of Golden State’s rivals claimed victories, with the Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, Pelicans and Timberwolves all chalking up wins. The latter’s win over the Sacramento Kings has seen them propel above the Warriors into the sixth-seed — the teams hold the same record but Minnesota holds the tiebreaker thanks to a better conference record.
The Golden State Warriors meet a Brandon Ingram-led New Orleans Pelicans who enter Chase Center on the back of five-straight wins.
Draymond Green and Jordan Poole have been added to the injury list as probable for Tuesday’s game, with the pair facing neck and wrist soreness respectively. New Orleans are yet to submit their injury report given they’ll be on the second night of a back-to-back, but they’re certain to be without two key players – Zion Williamson and Jose Alvarado.
The Pelicans may be down one star forward in Williamson, yet Brandon Ingram has picked up the slack in recent times to help his franchise to five-straight wins. But what better way to gain an understanding on New Orleans than to get an insight from someone who covers the team – Sports Illustrated’s Terry Kimble.
I asked Kimble about the current optimism surrounding the franchise, and he believes the experience of last season holds the Pelicans in good stead for what they hope can be an even better postseason run.
"“The Pelicans were in this situation last season. They were fighting and clawing their way for a Play-In Tournament bid and ended up winning seven of their last ten games to get in. Once they got in, they won two play-in games and took the Phoenix Suns to six games, all without Zion Williamson. This team is now a year older and there is optimism Zion could be back for the final couple of games this year. Insert an All-Star into your lineup of a team playing well and there is hope for a postseason run.”"
With Williamson up and running, New Orleans sat third in the West until January 17 before a drastic fall down the standings. The former number one overall pick has been active for two of the Pelicans’ three meetings with the Warriors this season, and Kimble gave an insight to the contrasting nature of their offense with and without Williamson in the lineup.
"“They are a +8.6 efficiency per 100 possessions when he’s on the court compared to when he’s off. If you extrapolate over an 82-game season, that’s a staggering expected +20 wins per the numbers. Pure statistics aside, his impact when he’s on the floor can’t be overstated.”"