Pelicans Can’t Handle Curry, Drop Home Opener to Warriors
By Mike Delayo
For the second time in the first week of the NBA season, the Golden State Warriors (3-0) were able to take down the New Orleans Pelicans (0-3).
The Pelicans were very good offensively, but Golden State was even better, taking the game 134-120.
Stephen Curry was as hot as ever from everywhere on the floor. He shot 17-27 from the field, 8-14 from the three point line, and a perfect 11-11 from the free throw line. Say what you will about the Warriors, who got some flack in the off-season for having a “lucky” season, but Stephen Curry is as good as a player as the NBA has to offer, and he showed it tonight in the Smoothie King Center.
The loss marks the second time in the past three years that New Orleans lost their home opener.
Oct 30, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) scores during the second quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Despite the loss, there are still some positives things to take away from this game. Omer Asik and Luke Babbitt both returned to the court after missing the end of the preseason and the first two games of the regular season.
Babbitt actually played 30 minutes, partially thanks to Eric Gordon’s foul trouble. He shot 2-6 from the field, but missed all four of his three point opportunities. He was able to grab six boards, but the reason he is on the court is to knock down those long range shots. Hopefully in the coming games he will be able to resurrect that extremely efficient stroke from last season.
Asik was limited to 10 minutes tonight, grabbing a rebound and a steal during that brief stint. He is definitely not back at 100% quite yet, but the fact that he was able to play at least a little bit bodes well.
The Pelicans need to hope for a quick full recovery though because Kendrick Perkins left the game only two minutes in with a strained pectoral and did not return.
Alexis Ajinca is not fully healthy either, so as a result Anthony Davis had to take a majority of the minutes tonight at center. While Davis put up some solid numbers, scoring 26 points while tallying 16 rebounds, the defense around him collapsed.
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With Ryan Anderson playing substantial minutes at the four with Davis at the five, there is a lot left to be desired on the defensive end.
Anderson was able to put up 19 points of his own on 8-16 shooting, production the Pels will continue to count on, but he simply is not able to withstand the versatility of the Draymond Greens and the Harrison Barnes of the Warriors.
Jrue Holiday actually surpassed his supposed minutes restriction, playing 27 minutes tonight. He is by far the most adept perimeter defender on the Pelicans, but it was not enough to slow down Stephen Curry. That is no knock on Holiday though, because quite frankly, no one in the league can stop this guy.
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As fun as Anthony Davis is to watch when he is on his game, Curry just makes it all look so easy. Whether he is shooting off the dribble or flinging the ball behind his back to a wide open shooter, Curry makes it look like just about anyone can do it.
It has been a rough start for the Pelicans so far, as the do sit 0-3. Most of the struggles have come defensively, though the Warriors offense is a well oiled machine that no team can seem to figure out.
As more guys start to come back from injury, hopefully Darren Erman will be able to construct a more cohesive and successful defensive unit. There are still 79 games left, and Anthony Davis is still on the team.
The Pelicans hit the floor again in search of their first win on Tuesday night, when they host the young and talented Orlando Magic……