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

By Gerald Bourguet

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
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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Golden State Warriors
Dec 4, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) holds up three fingers in celebration after a three point basket against the New Orleans Pelicans during the fourth quarter at Oracle Arena. The Golden State Warriors defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 112-85. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

Prediction: Warriors In 5

Kerr has done a tremendous job managing his stars’  minutes, so the Warriors should have plenty left in the tank for an extended playoff run. That being said, any series they can end ahead of time is a victory for a team that will need its energy when the real heavy-hitters step up to the plate.

If the Warriors can capitalize on their advantages against the Pelicans in points in the paint and transition buckets, they’ll win this series pretty handily. Davis put up great numbers against the Warriors this season, and he always seems ready to step up for his team in big moments.

But the playoffs are a different animal, and if the Warriors do a good job of making him feel like the moment is too big for him, they could very easily sweep. Hell, they could very easily sweep even if the Brow has no problems performing at an elite level on the big stage. Either way, this is the time for Draymond Green to make the biggest statement for his Defensive Player of the Year case.

That being said, I anticipate Davis having his ups and downs against the NBA’s top ranked defense. One signature Brow game will ignite Twitter and possibly give the Pellies a feel-good home win, but this series will most likely be over by the time it heads back to Oracle Arena for Game 5.

Next: NBA Awards Watch: Final MVP Pick For 2014-15

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