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2015 NBA Playoffs: Western Conference First Round Previews and Predictions

By Michael Saenz

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Jan 18, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans power forward

Anthony Davis

(23) is guarded by Golden State Warriors power forward

David Lee

(10) during the first half of a game at the New Orleans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

(1) Golden State Warriors vs (8) New Orleans Pelicans

Key Matchups: Anthony Davis vs Draymond Green/David Lee/Andrew Bogut

Season Series: Warriors won 3-1

Pelicans

This series is easily more about the Pelicans, for me, than it is about the Golden State Warriors. We know who is going to win this series, and probably rather easily. However, I’m interested — as you should be too — in witnessing Anthony Davis‘ playoff debut.

Davis is a budding star with a team that has a ton of potential — when they’re not fighting off the injury bug. While it’s a good story to see the Pelicans as the eighth seed in the West, I’m more interested to see if this team, this roster, can push the envelope a bit more.

Is this their ceiling? Is there such a thing as Playoff Anthony Davis?

This series isn’t going to be about how many wins the Pelicans can muster against the Warriors. I want a sneak preview to the future, when AD runs the NBA.

Warriors

Let’s not make this complicated. If the Warriors and Pelicans both play their best game, we know who’s coming out on top. It rhymes with the Spoilers.

At home this season against New Orleans, the Warriors averaged 115 points per 100 possessions and had a net rating of nearly 25. On the road though, that net rating fell to a single point — one of those game was without Andrew Bogut in the lineup, though.

Not sure if regular season sample sizes will actually equate to anything in the playoffs, because in the past they’ve failed on that front, but it’s safe to say that the Warriors should be in a good spot heading into this matchup.

This series should be a nice warmup for what lies ahead for the Warriors in the second round. We shall see who they draw.

Prediction: Warriors in 5

Next: Rockets vs Mavs