Golden State Warriors vs New Orleans Pelicans Predictions, Odds & Picks

• Ninth in the West, the Golden State Warriors look primed for a Play-In position.
• The New Orleans Pelicans are on a small two-game win streak.
• The Warriors and Pelicans have alternated wins over the last four meetings.

Golden State Warriors vs New Orleans Pelicans Odds

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Golden State Warriors vs New Orleans Pelicans Predictions and Picks

While the Warriors have firepower, the Pelicans present a unique problem for them in the paint. As always, how efficiently the Warriors shoot the ball could decide the outcome of this game.

Picks:

Golden State Warriors def. New Orleans Pelicans

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How to Watch Golden State Warriors vs New Orleans Pelicans

Head-to-Head: Golden State Warriors vs New Orleans Pelicans

NOP: Energy From Tip

The New Orleans Pelicans are coming off of a welcome victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. While they weren’t in control for major parts of the game, they showed great resolve in their overtime victory.

Against an offence with the potential of that the Warriors have, the Pelicans defence can’t be complacent. New Orleans need to get out running like they did against the T-Wolves, where the Pels shot 50% in the first quarter and converted on seven threes.

Lonzo Ball was the catalyst for New Orleans in their last game and will have to do the same against the up-and-down Warriors. His shooting can be game changing for the Pelicans, but so can his ability to move the ball with pace.

Pelicans Key Player: (F) Brandon Ingram

Brandon Ingram with the tuff and one! pic.twitter.com/gjYhVgJRXA

— The Sports Place (@offsportsplace) May 2, 2021

When Brandon Ingram faces the Warriors, he’ll be coming off of one of his more forgettable performances. Always an offensive threat, Ingram needs to find his range early.

In his last game against the T-Wolves, Ingram posted 14 points and six assists on four of 17 shooting. As the game wore on, Ingram struggled more and more from the field.

He won’t have an easy night, as he’ll lineup against a pair of rugged wing defenders in Draymond Green and Andrew Wiggins.

GSW: Defend the Paint

The formula to beat the New Orleans Pelicans isn’t complex. But to earn a victory is difficult to accomplish with the personnel on their side.

To win the Warriors need to defend the paint and the rim from the Pelicans’ interior threats. Golden State is not known as an interior defending team, even with Kevon Looney and James Wiseman’s energy inside.

Stephen Curry has been brilliant offensively, and is sure to offset some of their shortcomings on the defensive end. It’ll need to be a team effort to overcome the strength of Zion Williamson at the rim.

Warriors Key Player: (F) Draymond Green

Draymond Green really knew where Steph was going.

Chemistry INSANE. pic.twitter.com/KamCdZOSzP

— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) April 30, 2021

He certainly isn’t a scoring force, but Draymond Green is as essential to the Golden State Warriors’ game plan as Stephen Curry is.

In his last game Green was a team-leading +27 on the night, contributing nine points, eight assists, and 11 rebounds in 29 minutes of play.

Green operates the Warriors schemes from the high post and is their rock on the defensive end. It’s a big responsibility, but how he organizes Golden State’s back line will be a massive factor regarding their success in this game.