The New Orleans Pelicans are down 2-0 to the Golden State Warriors in the second round of their 2018 NBA Playoff series. Here are three takeaways from the Game 2 loss.
After stealing two road wins against the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round of the 2018 NBA Playoffs, the New Orleans Pelicans find themselves in new, yet familiar territory: Down 2-0 against the superior Golden State Warriors team.
That’s not to say the Pelicans are bad by any means, as their first round sweep against Rip City was one of the most notable storylines from the first round. Anthony Davis, Jrue Holiday and Nikola Mirotic were all playing the best basketball of their careers and they suddenly looked like a dark horse David to Golden State’s Goliath.
Unfortunately, the Dubs cruised to a double-digit win in Game 1 without Stephen Curry, and with the two-time MVP returning to action Tuesday night, a concentrated effort from the Pelicans fell short in Game 2, with the home team opening up a 2-0 series lead thanks to the 121-116 win.
Davis led the Pellies with 25 points, 15 rebounds, five assists, three blocks and two steals. Jrue Holiday chipped in 24 points, eight rebounds and eight boards, while Rajon Rondo followed up with a 22-12-7-5 stat line. Nikola Mirotic put up 18 points and nine rebounds before fouling out in the fourth quarter.
The Warriors, meanwhile, were led by Curry’s 28 points in 27 minutes off the bench. Kevin Durant posted a 29-7-6 stat line, while Draymond Green served as their emotional stimulus, putting up 20 points, 12 assists and nine rebounds. Klay Thompson struggled on 4-of-20 shooting, but Andre Iguodala‘s 15 points and eight rebounds helped make up for it.
With the series shifting back to New Orleans for Game 3, no one should be writing this team off just yet. However, if the Pelicans want to even the score at home, these three takeaways will be key moving forward.