2018 NBA Playoffs: Golden State Warriors vs. New Orleans Pelicans preview

Individual matchups

The series will very likely begin without Stephen Curry, and so we evaluate the starting lineup matchups without him involved.

PG: Andre Iguodala vs. Rajon Rondo

Playoff Rondo is back! Just three years removed from nosediving in the playoffs for the Dallas Mavericks, Rajon Rondo is leaving a huge imprint on the postseason. He has totaled 53 assists in four games; the Oklahoma City Thunder only had 65 as a team through four games.

His counterpart is a nontraditional point guard, as Andre Iguodala has started in the postseason in place of the injured Stephen Curry and the recent two-way player Quinn Cook. Iguodala has been solid for the Warriors, especially with quick hands on defense, but he has also clearly lost a step. This is a close call, but we will lean on the larger history of evidence. Advantage: Warriors (barely)

SG: Klay Thompson vs. Jrue Holiday

Jrue Holiday was an All-Star back in 2012 in Philadelphia, and has not been again since. Then again, if the All-Star rosters were decided in April instead of January, then he may have qualified. A solid two-way season turned into the series of his life against the Portland Trail Blazers.

Klay Thompson is an All-Star guard himself, the perfect complement to almost any star offensive player. He’s hit 51.6 percent of his 3-pointers over five games this postseason, averaging 22.6 points per game while defending the Spurs’ best backcourt players.

The simple chart is: Holiday of the last series > Klay Thompson > Holiday’s normal level of play. If Holiday can continue his tear, he deserves the nod. Advantage: Pelicans

SF: Kevin Durant vs. E’Twaun Moore

E’Twaun Moore has defended opposing wings admirably, but that is the height of his impact this postseason. Kevin Durant, on the other hand, has been brilliant, willing the Warriors to victory. This is the most one-sided matchup on the board, and may lead coach Alvin Gentry to swap him out for Solomon Hill or Darius Miller. Advantage: Warriors

PF: Draymond Green vs. Nikola Mirotic

Nikola Mirotic shaved his beard for the postseason run, and in the anti-Samson version of the story has suddenly discovered how to be a deadly two-way threat. He is banging rainbow 3s, hustling on defense and altogether helping the Pelicans win games.

Draymond Green has a less consistent offensive impact, often barely scoring but still orchestrating the Warriors’ attack. He handles the ball as much as anyone else on the team, and without Curry, was key to pulling away from the Spurs. If a team needs scoring, it’s Mirotic. For everything else, it’s Draymond. Advantage: Warriors

C: JaVale McGee vs. Anthony Davis

Anthony Davis is some unfair combination of a pogo stick, skyscraper and the best basketball player in the league. Portland had no answer for him in the first round, and it’s possible the Warriors struggle to contain him just as tightly. JaVale has his moments, but he will be hard-pressed to defend a big man as mobile as Anthony Davis. Advantage: Pelicans