Golden State Warriors: 5 Keys To First Round Series

Golden State Warriors: 5 Keys To First Round Series Against New Orleans Pelicans

Apr 7, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) drives past New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) during a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Warriors 103-100. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

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Apr 7, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) shoots past New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) and forward Ryan Anderson (33) during the first quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Pushing The Tempo

The Dubs lead the NBA in fast break points, averaging 20.9 per game. It’s a good thing, then, that Golden State also just so happens to have averaged an astonishing 25.8 fast break points against the Pelicans this season — 3.8 points higher than the next-best average by a Pelicans opponent.

In the playoffs, you usually see the tempo slow down. Possessions become more valuable, teams are more careful about making mistakes late in games and fast-paced teams generally have to work harder for points. But one key to a Warriors championship run will be their ability to consistently get out in transition, so it’s good that their first round opponent doesn’t put up much resistance in that regard.

This also connects to controlling the glass. If the Warriors are able to do that as they’ve done all season against New Orleans, they’ll be able to turn misses into easy points on the break.

Next: No. 3

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