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SteemSports Editor:
The New Orleans Pelicans protected their home court against the visiting Golden State Warriors on Friday night in Game 3, 119-100. Anthony Davis had a ridiculous stat line of 33 points, 18 rebounds, 3 assists, and 4 steals. His teammates Jrue Holiday(21 pts, 7 rebs, 5 assists, 2 steals) Nikola Mirotic (16 pts, 13 rebs, 3 assists), Rajan Rondo (4 pts, 21 assists, 1 steal), and Ian Clark (18 points off the bench) all came up huge in this home victory. Klay Thompson (26 pts, 7 rebs, 1 assist) and Kevin Durant (22 pts, 3 rebs, 3 assists, 2 steals) led the Warriors on the stat sheet but the team just wasn't shooting like you would expect them to (38% from the field, 29% from three).
The Warriors looked a little sloppy coming out of the gate, but a KD jumper and Steph Curry and-1 leveled things out 7-6, Warriors up to start the first quarter. Rondo and Draymond Green got right into each other's faces once again and the refs had to get involved. Both guys were setting an example for their teams that they wouldn't back down. That New Orleans crowd was pretty energetic, I give them a little credit for Golden State's initial shaky play. The Pelicans went on an 16-3 in the last few minutes off of some big three-pointers from their guards (and one from Anthony Davis). Jrue Holiday was having an incredible first quarter not only on offense (11 points), but also defense (great 1-on-1 defense on curry). New Orleans led after one, 30-21
New Orleans carried over their ball movement and hot shooting from the first quarter to maintain a 10-15 point lead for the first 4 minutes of the second. Golden State crept back in it by getting to the line and making their free throws, but The Pelicans countered with even more three-balls to bring it back to a 10 point lead. Whenever the Pels tried kicking it to a 20 point lead the Warriors came back at them with three-balls and transition buckets to keep it within striking distance. Klay Thompson (20 points in the first half) managed to sneak a three in before the first half ended to trim their deficit to 6, 62-56. Anthony Davis was having a rough night from the field (5/14) but his teammates Nikola Mirotic (14 pts, 7 rebs), Jrue Holiday (14 pts, 5 rebs, 2 assists), and Rajan Rondo (2 pts, 10 assists) were all making solid first half contributions.
The Pelicans maintained a 6-8 point lead for the opening minutes of the third quarter, and they slowly managed to stretch it back to a 14 point lead. They juiced up their defense at the basket led by the example of Anthony Davis. Almost every time and Warrior tried to drive they answered them with at least two sets of hands near the hoop. The Warriors on the other hand, weren't protecting the rim so well. The Pelicans pushed it to a 25 point lead with two minutes remaining (the largest deficit Golden State had encountered this postseason). Golden State was shooting an uncharacteristic 37% from the field and a paltry 30% from the three-point line. When the penultimate buzzer sounded, the Pelicans were up 92-75 on the Golden State Warriors. Anthony Davis ((14 points in the third quarter) and Rajan Rondo were looking totally in synch as a big man-little man combo.
Things were looking pretty hopeless for the Warriors after the Pelicans cracked the 20-point mark at the end of the third. Their shots just weren't falling tonight, and Draymond Green's frustration boiled over into another head-to-head shit talk-off with Rondo. Steve Kerr sent in Zaza Pachulia with a few minutes remaining so you know that signaled the beginning of garbage time. The Pelicans played it out until the final buzzer sounded and New Orleans came away with a Game 3 win 119-100.
Golden State had an off shooting night, and they probably underestimated the Pelicans just like the Rockets did against the Jazz in Game 2. After beating New Orleans convincingly two times in a row, it makes sense that they came out flat and lost Game 3 against the potent Pelicans (who were in front of their home crowd). Game 4 should be a much more competitive affair as Golden State will be motivated to head back home up 3-1 in the series as opposed to tied at 2-2. Game 4 will take place on Sunday in New Orleans at 2:30 CST / 12:30 PST
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