Curry and depth play a major role in the Warriors’ rout of the Pelicans, 130-102.

Throughout the second part of a back-to-back, the Warriors easily defeated the Pelicans.

 

 

 

On Monday night, the Golden State Warriors destroyed the New Orleans Pelicans, winning 130-102 and taking the Smoothie King Centre. It was the Dubs’ third straight victory—all of them away from home—and they completed a perfect sweep in their first back-to-back of the season. Although it’s far too early to declare anything, this Warriors team appears to be very different from the one from the previous season. The cohesive depth is one aspect of it. The early success on the road plays a part in it. The most important aspect, though, is still Steph Curry’s transcendent skills.

After it was revealed that Brandon Ingram, Jonathan Kuminga, and Klay Thompson were all sidelined by injuries, excitement for the much-anticipated game began to dwindle. Nonetheless, neither team was able to establish a lead more than three points throughout the first quarter, as both appeared evenly matched.

But Zion Williamson, the top player for the Pelicans, was plagued by foul trouble the whole game, and when both teams’ reserves were put to the test, Golden State started to pull away in the second quarter.

Thompson was easily replaced in the starting lineup by Moses Moody, while Kuminga’s backup unit was easily filled by youngsters Brandin Podziemski and Trayce Jackson-Davis. Although Thompson and Kuminga are certainly essential to Golden State’s chances of winning the championship this year, they are also two players who have the ability to command attention on offence. The Warriors offence was forced to centre around either Chris Paul or Curry while they were both down.

In less than 20 minutes, Jackson-Davis scored 13 points, pulled down 10 rebounds, and blocked four shots, making him the clear standout on the bench. Jackson-Davis was contributing to more than simply stat sheet filling. The rookie, selected in the second round, didn’t appear overmatched on either end of the court and appeared ready to step in as a backup centre right away. That might be a major plus for the Warriors as they work to make sure Draymond Green doesn’t tyre out playing centre.

 

The third quarter ended with a 13-1 run by the Warriors, increasing their advantage to 98-78. If Steve Kerr had benched Curry for the whole fourth quarter in the second part of a back-to-back, nobody would have given a dаmn. Rather, Curry went back to the floor a few minutes later to deliver one last powerful blоw.

Although Curry has never been one to discuss seeking personal recognition, it appears that he is playing with the MVP in mind. Curry played just thirty minutes of the game on Monday, finishing with 42 points on 15 of 22 field goal shooting. Although it’s early, Curry is fast making a nаme for himself as the NBA’s MVP front-runner.

The Warriors will host the Kings again on Wednesday night when they return home after an ideal three-game road trip. Chase Center’s opening tip is set for 7:00 PM Pacific.