Warriors vs Pelicans Prediction
Warriors Play Pelicans For A Game That Is Meaningless
The Warriors will host the Pelicans at the Chase Center on Friday night. The Warriors have continued to play beautiful basketball, with their most recent win coming against the 2 seeded Suns. The Pelicans have been struggling, losing 3 of their last 4.
When all is said and done, this game does not affect the Western Conference playoff picture whatsoever. The Warriors are at the 8th seed, and a win or loss will not affect their position. They will have to play the Grizzlies at home on Sunday afternoon, and that game will affect the seedings.
The New Orleans Pelicans truly have nothing to play because their season will be over once the regular season ends. They were eliminated from playoff contention last game against the Dallas Mavericks. The Pelicans will play this one out but have very little motivation against the Dubs.
Warriors Wanting To Keep Momentum Before Playoffs
The Warriors have nothing to play for tonight, and we could see them rest some of their key guys. Steve Kerr may opt to play Steph Curry, Draymond Green, and Andrew Wiggins for very few minutes, so they rest up for Sunday’s game facing the Grizzlies.
Even though this game won’t affect the placements of the postseason, the Warriors will still be playing to win with the guys on the court. They have won 4 games in a row, beating the Western Conference top two seeds in the Utah Jazz and Phoenix Suns most recently.
Steph Curry scored 21 points but was the secondhand man to Andrew Wiggins 38 points. Wiggins shot 17-24 from the field and led the game with a plus-minus of 14. Draymond Green recorded a triple-double consisting of 11 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists.
The most encouraging thing about this four-game win-streak for the Warriors has been their offense when Steph is struggling. Steph has shot just 4-24 from the three-point line the past two games, and the Warriors still are getting it done. If they maintain this offensive consistency, they will be a threat once the playoffs begin.
The New Orleans Pelicans Season of Disappointment
The Pelicans just can’t seem to get over the hump and make a run in the playoffs or even get there. Their record of 31-29 was good for the 11th seed this year, just a few games away from competing in the play-in. With all of that being said, the Pelicans will not put any effort in to win this game.
Their last game against Luka Doncic and the Mavericks was a struggle, and they lost 125-107. Eric Bledsoe led the Pels in scoring with 15 points. Willy Hernangomez contributed a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart, and Zion Williamson have all been ruled out of the lineup tonight once again. Brandom Ingram, Steven Adams, and Wes Iwundu headline the players that are questionable for tonight.
New Orleans star forward Zion Williamson has been ruled out for the remainder of the season anyways with a left-hand fracture. The Pelicans will be without any motivation in these next two games, so don’t expect a very exciting game.
Pick and Prediction
The Warriors are -2 in this boring contest tonight. The last game against these two teams was a blockbuster that featured the Marvel Avengers collaboration. Tonight’s game will be the complete opposite. I’m taking the Warriors at -2 and think they will blow out the depleted Pelicans.
If the Warriors play their main guys, I could see Steph Curry put on a three-point clinic to get out of his slump. Wiggins and Green will each add double-digits. The Pelicans will have Eric Bledsoe lead their way for them.
You can watch this game on ESPN at 9:30 P.M. Eastern time.
Pick: Warriors -2
