Game On: Warriors v. Pelicans


The New Orleans Pelicans come into tonight’s home opener 0-2, after a couple of roughing outings in Oakland and Portland. Here are the keys to the game in order to avoid an 0-3 start as they take on the Golden State Warriors:

  • Get Anthony Davis Going: This may be the most important and easiest key to accomplish for this team. Davis shot 4-20 in the season opener against the Golden State Warriors, never getting into the groove of the game. While the Pelicans were able to hang on in the first half, during the second half, the Warriors were able to pull away. The Warriors sent a lot of help Davis’ way, and he forced a lot of shots and looked tense. New Orleans needs to get him the ball early and often in order to establish a rhythm, and then work off their star player in order to beat the defending national champions.
  • Don’t Start Like That: The Pelicans’ opponents have averaged 41 points on 54.7% shooting in the first quarter of their first two games. New Orleans can’t allow teams to start off that hot against them. Hopefully with Jrue Holiday projected to start tonight, the Pelicans can prevent Stephen Curry from going off for 24 points in the opening period. Look for Head Coach Alvin Gentry to pull center Kendrick Perkins out early if he continues to get abused in the pick and roll.
  • A Little Help From Some Friends: So far, besides Anthony Davis, Eric Gordon is the leading scorer on the team, but he is shooting just 36.7% from the field (and only 33.3% from beyond the arc.) Ryan Anderson is averaging 15 points per game, on 40.7% from the field (and 33.3% from three.) The team needs someone besides Davis to start making some plays in order to get the pace and space working at the right rhythm.
  • Rebounding: The Pelicans have been outrebounded by an average of 17.5 boards per a game in their first two contests. That includes being outrebounded 56-33 in the season opener against the Golden State Warriors. With center Omer Asik returning

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