Western Conference Matchup: Warriors vs. Pelicans
The Western Conference faces off on Tuesday night as the Golden State Warriors (30-27) challenge the New Orleans Pelicans (16-42) at 8 p.m. EST in New Orleans. This matchup marks the third encounter between these teams this season, with Golden State previously securing a victory of 104-96 on November 30.
Current Standings and Performance
Currently, the Warriors sit in eighth place in the Western Conference, boasting a solid performance with an average of 20 wins and 16 losses against other conference teams. They lead the league in assists with an impressive 29.1 per game, largely thanks to Draymond Green’s contribution of 5.1 assists per game.
On the other hand, the Pelicans are struggling, ranked 14th within the conference, holding a disappointing record of 9 wins against 26 losses when facing Western rivals.
Scoring and Shooting Statistics
In terms of scoring, New Orleans averages 114.8 points per game, slightly surpassing the 113.9 points the Warriors typically allow. The Warriors excel in long-range shooting, hitting an average of 16.5 three-pointers per game, while the Pelicans surrender 14.6 three-pointers to their opponents, indicating a distinct shooting advantage for Golden State.
Key Players
Highlighting individual performances, Brandin Podziemski is a key player for the Warriors, putting up an average of 12.1 points along with 3.7 assists. Meanwhile, for the Pelicans, Derik Queen shows promise with a shooting percentage of 49.4% and 12.3 points per game, while the notable Zion Williamson has averaged 21.2 points over his last ten games.
Recent Form and Injuries
Looking at their recent form, both teams have struggled, with the Pelicans holding a record of 4-6 in their last ten games, averaging 114.9 points and 42.4 rebounds per outing. The Warriors share a similar record, also going 4-6, but averaging lower with 110.6 points and 30.6 assists per game.
Injury reports complicate both teams’ rosters: the Pelicans may be without Yves Missi (calf) and Trey Murphy III (shoulder), while key players like Kristaps Porzingis, Jimmy Butler III, Draymond Green, and Stephen Curry are sidelined for the Warriors, all dealing with injuries.
Conclusion
These upcoming challenges will put both teams to the test as they aim for crucial wins while navigating depleted rosters in the tough competition of the Western Conference.
