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2018 NBA Playoff Preview: New Orleans Pelicans vs. Golden State Warriors

By Alan Mena

DETROIT, MI - FEBRUARY 12: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts after a foul call while playing the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on February 12, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. New Orleans won the game 118-103. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - FEBRUARY 12: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts after a foul call while playing the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on February 12, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. New Orleans won the game 118-103. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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In the second round of the NBA Playoffs, the red-hot New Orleans Pelicans will meet the defending champion Golden State Warriors; who will prevail?

Despite all 22 ESPN experts predicting a Golden State Warriors-Portland Trail Blazers Western Conference Semifinal, the red-hot New Orleans Pelicans have crashed the party. After sweeping the Blazers last week, the Warriors and Pelicans will tip-off Game 1 of their second-round series Saturday night.

After being swept by the Warriors three years ago in the first-round of the playoffs, Anthony Davis and the streaking Pelicans will finally have their rematch.

Anthony Davis and Jrue Holiday: The Dynamic Duo

Anthony Davis and Jrue Holiday have easily been the best duo during the playoffs so far. In the first round alone, Davis and Holiday had a 32.2 percent and 30.2 percent usage ratings, respectively.

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Davis averaged 33 points, 12 rebounds, 1.8 steals, and 2.8 blocks per game on 57 percent shooting from the field. Holiday played at his highest level and averaged 27.8 points, four rebounds, 6.5 assists, and 1.3 steals per game on 56.8 percent shooting.

In addition to sweeping the Trail Blazers, Davis and Holiday made history.

Together they produced six remarkable stats (via NBA.com) recorded in a playoff game:

"– Davis was the first player since Hakeem Olajuwon in 1987 to record 47 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 blocks during the playoffs.– Aside from 47 points being a franchise record, it is also the 2nd most points scored in a closeout game since Kobe Bryant scored 48 points in 2001.– Davis and Holiday are the first duo to record at least 40 points apiece in a closeout game.– Davis and Holiday scored a combined 88 points in Game 4. This record has tied John Havlicek and JoJo White who did so during the 1973 playoffs.– Both Davis and Holiday joined the elite company of Jalen Rose and Reggie Miller, and Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler to record at least 40 points apiece while shooting 60% FG in one game.– Through 8 games in his playoff career, Davis is averaging 32.3 points (258). He is third behind Michael Jordan (283) and LeBron James (266) in total points in this span."

New Orleans Pelicans vs. Golden State Warriors

The Warriors went 3-1 against the Pelicans this season.

Although Curry, Cousins, Durant, and Davis all missed at least one game, the Pelicans were able to beat the Warriors in their last matchup with their current roster sans Ian Clark and DeMarcus Cousins.

This matchup will be the second straight series in which the Pelicans will face another star-studded backcourt in Stephen Curry (likely) and Klay Thompson.

The Pelicans still have a chance to defeat the Warriors even with Stephen Curry’s potential return.  There’s clear-cut fact: Anthony Davis cannot be stopped.

Davis averaged 31.5 points, 11 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and 3 blocks on 54 percent shooting during the first round against the Warriors in 2015. In the same series, Jrue Holiday was a non-factor.

Playing backup to Tyreke Evans and Eric Gordon took a hit on Holiday’s potential impact on the series. Holiday only averaged 6.3 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 4.3 assists on 18.2 minutes in three games.

In comparison, Holiday is starting and averaging 37.4 minutes per game with career highs in other statistical categories. Now that Holiday is in his prime, he will be troublesome for the Warriors down the stretch.

Playoff Rondo and Nikola Mirotic will be key factors to the Pelicans’ chances as well. Both are playing at an extremely high level and recording career-best statistics during the playoffs.

Unfortunately, we won’t be able to watch how Cousins impacts this series. Draymond Green and Kevin Durant will have trouble containing Davis but will have an advantage in star power and playoff experience.

The Warriors’ original big three of Curry, Thompson, and Green played well against the Pelicans in 2015. With the addition of Kevin Durant, however, makes it much more difficult to contain all four stars.

Curry has not been given a timetable to return, but will likely return at some point this series.

Final Thoughts

The Pelicans and Warriors are different teams from when they last faced off in the playoffs.

Must Read: 2018 NBA Playoffs: What we learned from the Sixers-Heat first-round series

Since both teams underwent massive roster changes, the results of this series will be different than before. The Pelicans’ core will continue their defensive prowess and effective production on the offensive end against the defending champs.

This series will be exciting due to the emergence of the Pelicans as the Warriors try to maintain their dominance over the NBA.