The Golden State Warriors can maintain their sixth-place standing in the NBA's Western Conference when they travel to Smooth King Center on Friday to battle the New Orleans Pelicans.
Heading into this clash, the Pelicans are second from the bottom out West, following a 112-99 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers Monday, while the Warriors are clinging to the final automatic spot in the first round of the playoffs, suffering a 112-86 loss to the Miami Heat on Tuesday.
Match preview
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A season filled with unmet expectations has been the story throughout 2024-25 for New Orleans, who have lost five of their previous seven games.
Since being officially eliminated from playoff contention on March 13, Willie Green's team have won just two of their previous six league contests.
Defensively, Green has struggled to find the right formula to get this team going, as the Pelicans have given up the second-highest points-per-game average in the Western Conference (119.2).
Add to that the fact that they boast the second-worst home record in the league (7-30), and it is safe to say that Green and his staff have a lot of work to do to try and improve this team in the off-season.
On Friday, they can win consecutive games at Smooth King Center for the first time all season, shooting 49% from the floor in Monday's home victory, slightly above their per-game average of 45.4.
As a team, New Orleans are averaging the fifth-lowest free-throw shooting percentage in the NBA (45.4), but they were much better in that department against the Sixers, missing just two of their 13 attempts (84.6%).
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One of the hottest teams this month have cooled off just a little, with the Warriors suffering consecutive defeats, as they were rarely within reach of the Heat on Tuesday.
Before that slide, Steve Kerr's men had won nine of their previous 10 games in March, moving them up to sixth in the West, though the Los Angeles Clippers and Minnesota Timberwolves are nipping at their heels, each just a half game behind them.
The Warriors are one of the most unselfish teams in the NBA, averaging just over 29 assists per contest, though Kerr might want to see them shoot more often as this team are in the bottom half of the league regarding points per game.
On Friday, Golden State will try to avoid losing three consecutive road games for the first time this year, something they have not suffered through since December 2024.
So far this season they have struggled from the free-throw line, with an average of 75.5%, the second-lowest mark among Western Conference teams ahead of their game with the Heat, while they went 11 for 16 from the line on Tuesday.
With a victory on Friday, the Warriors will sweep their regular-season series versus the Pelicans for the first time since 2018-19 (3-0), winning their last two visits to the Big Easy.
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Team News
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In their victory over Philly, the Pelicans were missing Zion Williamson due to a lower back contusion, Herb Jones was sidelined with a torn rotator cuff and Trey Murphy sat out because of a right shoulder strain.
Guard Dejounte Murray continues to recover from a right Achilles rupture, while Brandon Boston Jr is doubtful with a left ankle injury.
Karlo Matkovic led them with 19 points and eight rebounds on Monday, Yves Missi also nearly had a double-double, scoring 16 points to go along with nine boards, while Antonio Reeves was feeling it from beyond the arc, knocking down five of his seven three-point attempts.
On Tuesday, the Warriors did not have Steph Curry available, as the two-time league MVP had a pelvic contusion, though Kerr hinted he may return on Friday, while Gary Payton II had a bilateral bone fracture on his nose but still played 20 minutes versus Miami.
Payton was the only newcomer in the Golden State starting five the last time out, with Quinten Post relegated to the bench to begin that contest.
Jonathan Kuminga had a team-high 15 points in their previous game, one more than Brandin Podziemski, who led them with four assists, while Jimmy Butler was held to just 11 points in his return to Miami, coming to the Warriors via a trade in early February.
New Orleans Pelicans possible starting 5:
Alvarado, Hawkins; Olynyk, McCollum; Matkovic
Golden State Warriors possible starting 5:
Podziemski, Curry; Butler, Green; Post
We say: Golden State Warriors to win by 8+ points
Despite their strong game on Monday, the Pelicans have rarely been able to stay consistent from one contest to the next, while we believe Golden State's blowout loss on Tuesday is just a minor speed bump.
The Warriors have been strong on the glass throughout the season, and we expect them to have their share of second-chance opportunities and capitalise on Friday.
Joel Lefevre
