What’s surprising, and a bit disheartening, is that the New Orleans Pelicans could play very well throughout their entire playoff series against the Golden State Warriors and still get swept in four games. That’s the reality the Pelicans face after Monday night’s defeat, which saw them go down 2-0 in the playoff series.
New Orleans carried over a strong fourth quarter in Game 1 into the first quarter of Game 2, jumping out to 28-17 point lead. Golden State would respond with a 38 point second quarter, but New Orleans would battle back and forth throughout the second half, only losing the lead for good late in the game.
Game 2 showed the Pelicans are up to challenging the Warriors in this series, but experience could ultimately lead to their demise.
As a whole, New Orleans lacks playoff experience. The most seasoned player is two-time NBA champion Norris Cole, traded for on this season’s trade deadline to provide point guard depth in the wake of Jrue Holiday’s injury. Cole certainly played a role on Miami’s championship teams, but it would have been a stretch to call him a key player. However, in this series he’s shown that he’s well adapted to the playoff atmosphere, scoring 11 points off the bench last night, making key baskets particularly in the first half. If Holiday continues to sit due to injury (he missed Game 2), Cole could be an important player for the Pelicans off the bench.
Eric Gordon was key to New Orleans as well in Game 2, finishing with 23 points, while knocking down 5-10 from the 3-point line. Gordon has simplified his game since returning from injury, and as Chris Barnewall wrote for Pelican Debrief earlier this year, it has paid dividends for the team and him.
Also encouraging has been the play of Anthony Davis in his first playoff series, at least in stretches. 20 of his 35 points in Game 1 came in the fourth quarter, while most of his 26 points in Game 2 came in the first half. Davis’ dominant stretches have been a big reason for the Pelicans ability to hang with the Warriors, but he needs to show consistency late in games, as that 20 point performance in the fourth quarter of Game 1 was followed with just six points in the fourth quarter of Game 2, all from free throw attempts.
Davis will have to find a way to score against Draymond Green, who he shot just 3-12 against while shooting 6-10 against other defenders. Green is a versatile defender who will likely be this season’s Defensive Player of the Year. Getting Green into foul trouble could give them the advantage needed to earn their first win of the series.
Not converting late in the game is what ultimately cost New Orleans Monday night. Where Golden State showed patience and found players on open, high percentage shots, New Orleans rushed multiple possessions, settling for quick shots. That’s where experience comes in, and again what will likely cost the Pelicans in this series.
Still, it would be unfair to call this series over. Coming back from being down 2-0 is tough, but if New Orleans can play with more consistency and patience, and if they win their next two games at home, Game 5 in Golden State will become the key game in the series.
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