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; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) celebrates a win against the Golden State Warriors in a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Warriors 103-100. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Contain Anthony Davis

This is the biggest key to the series. Tyreke Evans has had a quietly tremendous season filling in at point guard, Eric Gordon has been playing better, the role players can knock down threes and Jrue Holiday is playing again. But the only player capable of taking over games and really hurting the Dubs with his star power is Anthony Davis.

At 22 years old, the Brow is playing in his first playoff series, which means we really don’t know what to expect. But the obvious worst-case scenario for Steve Kerr‘s team is that the Brow doesn’t shrink from the moment, much like he hasn’t shrunk from the moment all season:

The Warriors have two of the NBA’s stoutest defenders in Draymond Green and Andrew Bogut to throw at him, but even they wouldn’t be enough to stop the Brow once he gets in the zone, especially with his advantage in size and skill to overpower the competition.

If you’re the Dubs, you can’t let that happen. Golden State’s top priority should be containing Browzilla, who has stepped up his season averages (24.4 PPG, 10.2 RPG, 2.9 BPG, 2.2 APG, 1.5 SPG) whenever he’s played the NBA’s best team (29.5 PPG, 12.5 RPG, 3.5 BPG, 2.5 APG, 2.0 SPG). Limit the Brow, end the series quickly and enjoy a few extra days off.

Next: Prediction

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