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

3. Limiting The Three-Point Line

At just a shade under 40 percent on the season, the Warriors have a decisive advantage from the three-point line over virtually every team they might face in the playoffs. The Pelicans, however, are also an extremely good three-point shooting team, converting 37 percent of their attempts from downtown (fourth in the NBA).

I’d take the Warriors in a three-point shootout over any team. Klay Thompson is a guy who can drop 37 points in a half (or in a quarter) and Stephen Curry just might go down as the greatest shooter in NBA history when his time is done. But perhaps the Dubs don’t even want to test those waters.

After all, even though Golden State’s prolific ball movement often leads to high quality open looks from three, this team isn’t one-dimensional. Per NBA.com, the Warriors have a tremendous advantage over the Pelicans in the lane, averaging 56.5 points in the paint in their four meetings — once again, the highest average by a Pelicans opponent this season.

That figure is 11.2 points per game more than the Warriors usually score in the paint, and it’s a glaringly obvious problem for a New Orleans team that actually has good rim protectors between Asik and the Brow. Three-point shooting is a part of Golden State’s attack, but the Dubs also have a major advantage inside.

Next: No. 2