Golden State Of Mind - Warriors vs. Pelicans final score: Kevin Durant, Golden State get first win in New Orleans, 122-114"UNSTOPPABLE BABY!" - Warriors rookie Marc Jackson to the Mavs' bench, after a lay-up during a 29-point loss (2000)https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50563/gsom-fav.png2016-10-30T10:20:49-07:00http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/rss/stream/132274792016-10-30T10:20:49-07:002016-10-30T10:20:49-07:00Patrick McCaw goes down with injury
<figure>
<img alt="NBA: Summer League-San Antonio Spurs vs Golden State Warriors" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/_H_-NkDmW0UKgIa2109w5gjDVMc=/0x105:2400x1705/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51587099/usa-today-9377712.1477712984.jpg" />
<figcaption>Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Warriors rookie guard injured left ankle against Pelicans on Friday.</p> <p id="LwQB5N">Patrick McCaw played a solid 10 minutes off the bench against the Pelicans on Friday night before going down with a left ankle injury. </p>
<p id="Meszsp">He was diagnosed with a sprain and ruled out for the second half. </p>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/JcEpF0arVs9jfIum6CBaRPK1ToQ=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/7369615/mccaw.JPG">
</figure>
<p id="3V1X4G">Before his unfortunate exit, McCaw sank his <a href="http://www.knbr.com/2016/10/28/patrick-mccaw-injures-ankle-vs-pelicans/">only shot of the night</a> — a three-pointer from beyond the arc.</p>
<p id="KElWau">According to Anthony Slater of <em>The Mercury News</em>, <a href="https://twitter.com/anthonyVslater/status/792221390942400512">X-rays on McCaw’s ankle were negative</a>. </p>
<p id="7JUZC0">In a postgame interview, McCaw <a href="https://twitter.com/anthonyVslater/status/792234994299199488">confirmed</a> that the ankle is badly swollen, requiring that he walk on crutches for now and embark upon a treatment plan as soon as possible. When asked about his recovery time from a previous sprain to his right ankle, McCaw stated that he healed up from that injury in “about a week.”</p>
<p id="JaAEKG">McCaw missed practice on Saturday. </p>
<p id="j6ESuK">In an interview with the media, <a href="http://www.mercurynews.com/2016/10/29/warriors-rookie-patrick-mccaw-out-at-least-two-games-with-sprained-left-ankle/">Coach Steve Kerr said</a> McCaw is expected to miss the final two games of the current road trip: Sunday at Phoenix and Tuesday at Portland. </p>
<p id="Ko7oL1">This story will continue to be updated as more information becomes available. </p>
https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2016/10/28/13463884/nba-2016-golden-state-warriors-new-orleans-pelicans-patrick-mccaw-ankle-injuryTamryn Spruill2016-10-29T10:18:20-07:002016-10-29T10:18:20-07:00Stephen Curry becomes fastest player to hit 1,600 3s<h3 class="link-title"><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.espn.com/blog/golden-state-warriors/post/_/id/2516/stephen-curry-becomes-fastest-player-to-nail-1600-threes">Stephen Curry becomes fastest player to hit 1,600&nbsp;3s</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p><p>Curry had no clue he was on the verge of a long-distance milestone. "Draymond [Green] just told me," Curry said after the Warriors defeated the Pelicans 122-114 at Smoothie King Center. "I didn't really know that was a milestone within reach tonight. So, yeah, I'm going to keep shooting 3s."</p></p></div>
https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2016/10/29/13466098/stephen-curry-becomes-fastest-player-to-hit-1600-3sBornInDaEB2016-10-29T10:00:03-07:002016-10-29T10:00:03-07:00Analysis: Golden State pulls out their first win...barely
<figure>
<img alt="NBA: Golden State Warriors at New Orleans Pelicans" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/74-V7IGp1_qi0JP0IQWBATkvN-8=/1x0:2830x1886/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51589905/usa-today-9639276.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Warriors overcome Anthony Davis’ monster game and net their first win of the season.</p> <p id="M7Sxup">It's official, 81-1 is still in the cards.</p>
<p id="O5gsjo">The Warriors managed to bag their first victory of the season last night much to the relief of some fans who may have had a knee-jerk reaction to the <a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2016/10/26/13415396/nba-2016--golden-state-warriors-rebounding-a-glaring-weakness-in-blowout-loss-to-san-antonio-spurs">blowout loss in San Antonio. </a></p>
<p id="VWB1L2">Unfortunately, this wasn't a convincing victory. The new-look Warriors still haven't properly "clicked" on either side of the court and instead won last night’s game mostly due to superior individual talent. Kevin Durant had a great game and hasn't missed a beat since becoming a Warrior. He finished with 30 points, 17 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 blocks and 2 steals while shooting 47% from the field and 100% at the free throw line.</p>
<p id="1Gt0NI">For those keeping track, this gives him 57 points, 27 rebounds, 10 assists, 4 steals and 3 blocks in his first two games of the season. It's fair to say his transition into the blue and gold jersey has been smooth so far. </p>
<h3 id="hsxhen"><strong>The Brow</strong></h3>
<p id="71Aqtv">Anthony Davis continued his stellar start to the season; when the final buzzer sounded Davis had racked up 45 points, 17 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks in a monster effort to try and drag his team to their first victory. Ultimately, New Orleans fell short of the win but they were in it right up until the very end, down only six points with one minute left in the game. </p>
<p id="CFr2a8">As fans, we try not to overreact to the first couple weeks of the season but, at this point, it's blatantly obvious to most that when Davis is healthy he's one of the top five players in the league. The concern for him isn't with his development as a player but with his health. In his first four years in the league, he has never managed to suit up for more than 68 games. If he manages to play 70+ this season then he's bound to have a great year. And with Jrue Holiday and Tyreke Evans eventually returning he won't have to do everything himself for the entire year, hopefully.</p>
<p id="B1SEAM">While Tim Frazier set a career-high with 21 points and added 10 assists on top of that, it's plain to see that this team is not built to contend. We all want to see Davis in the playoffs again, everyone is hoping that the Pelicans will manage to build a contender sooner rather than later.</p>
<div id="rs60h7">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" align="center">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Looks like Anthony Davis is trying to order new teammates on his iPad. <a href="https://t.co/CnWZ6ujnFQ">pic.twitter.com/CnWZ6ujnFQ</a></p>— Dave Schilling (@dave_schilling) <a href="https://twitter.com/dave_schilling/status/792206079836852224">October 29, 2016</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<h3 id="JSOdE0"><strong>Poor shooting continues</strong></h3>
<p id="SY2yZ2">Uncharacteristically, the Warriors’ shooting from beyond the arc has been lackluster. Last night in New Orleans they shot 32% from deep as Durant and Klay Thompson both struggled to get their long range shots to fall. Fortunately both players are smart enough and talented enough to adjust when their shot isn't falling, opting to take the ball inside for a barrage of mid-range shots and layups. However, it is strange that a team consisting of three of the greatest shooters the league has ever seen is shooting so poorly to start the year.</p>
<div id="QQ5v3k">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" align="center">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Warriors 16-for-61 from 3 so far (26.2%)<br><br>Last season, Warriors led NBA at 41.6% shooting from 3</p>— Marcus Thompson (@ThompsonScribe) <a href="https://twitter.com/ThompsonScribe/status/792229726534275072">October 29, 2016</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<h3 id="kyybBs"><strong>Rebounding, it's a team effort</strong></h3>
<p id="ms1vuj">Fans were quick to blame the Warriors’ big men for the loss in San Antonio. Zaza Pachulia and David West combined for a pitiful five rebounds in the game against San Antonio. Yet Pachulia alone managed to pull down 11 rebounds in New Orleans last night. On top of that, Draymond Green and Kevin Durant combined for 28 rebounds.</p>
<p id="BBZA6B">Some things to keep an eye on moving forward in regards to rebounding are:</p>
<ul>
<li id="REtfvK">Offensive rebounding. Draymond Green only had seven games in total last year where he grabbed 4 or more offensive rebounds. He's already accomplished that small feat in both of the games this season. Pachulia was a stud last season when it came to offensive rebounding as he was 4th in offensive rebounds per game among starting centers. Can he repeat that? With the Warriors’ shooters struggling to start the season there will be an abundance of opportunities for this pair to grab offensive boards.</li>
<li id="3aj0jE">Boxing out. It's a team effort and for most basketball fans it seems like a very basic thing but apparently the vast majority of the Warriors roster have forgotten how to do this. If the Warriors don't start boxing out their opponents they're going to continue to be dominated on the glass.</li>
<li id="bCBWTH">Kevin Durant’s career-high in rebounds is 18, it seems like it's only a matter of time before he tops that. The Warriors need his presence on the glass and he's spoken about his focus on rebounding already. </li>
</ul>
<p id="mwO1x5"><a href="http://www.chron.com/sports/article/Durant-helps-Warriors-bounce-back-beat-Pelicans-10421668.php">"I just didn't want us to get outrebounded," Durant said, adding that coach Steve Kerr "told me that I could try to lead this team in rebounding and I'm trying to do my best to help out."</a></p>
<h3 id="i7ggNt"><strong>McGawd goes down</strong></h3>
<p id="pwrl86">Patrick McCaw played a solid ten minutes off the bench before going down with an apparent ankle injury. The X-rays reportedly came back clear so for now it's being regarded as a severe ankle sprain. </p>
<div id="MnfIp7">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" align="center">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Pat McCaw is limping badly on sprained L ankle. Walking with the aid of crutches.</p>— Monte Poole (@MontePooleCSN) <a href="https://twitter.com/MontePooleCSN/status/792224573995397120">October 29, 2016</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<h3 id="UN6hVn"><strong>On to the next one...</strong></h3>
<p id="dm2aDE">While the talent alone can carry the Warriors’ offense through the choppy waters of the early regular season it's the defense that fans should be querying. I wholeheartedly believe that eventually the Warriors will work it out defensively. Communication on the perimeter needs to improve as does the overall effort (let's not allow players like Tim Frazier to just walk past you for an easy layup). On the inside, Draymond is focused and, even when sloppy, he plays his heart out on that end. Pachulia is a better defender than most Warriors fans give him credit for but the lack of shot blocking might haunt the team all season long.</p>
<p id="Jxe9UE">Eventually the long range shots will begin to fall. Eventually the team will gel defensively and eventually the Warriors will win in a more convincing fashion. DubNation just needs to remain patient. It's better to have these issues now than have them in March.</p>
<p id="BRKAzw">The Warriors head to Phoenix on Sunday to take on the Suns for their next game. The game tips off at 3 p.m. PST and is airing on CSN. </p>
<p id="Y0ygyn"></p>
<div id="UiSFLW"><div><div style="left: 0px; width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/O2PdQ5az0f4?wmode=transparent&rel=0&autohide=1&showinfo=0&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" style="top: 0px; left: 0px; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div></div></div>
<p id="Y96Cm5"></p>
<p id="QLh7V4"></p>
https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2016/10/29/13464748/nba-2016-golden-state-warriors-vs-new-orleans-pelicans-kevin-durant-anthony-davisMike Brady2016-10-29T09:12:43-07:002016-10-29T09:12:43-07:00Watch: Warriors Beat Pelicans 122-114 Game Summary<iframe width="1280" height="720" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4Rbc68eIaGM" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe>
<div class="source source-img"><p><p>summary</p></p></div>
https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2016/10/29/13465744/watch-warriors-beat-pelicans-122-114-game-summaryBornInDaEB2016-10-29T05:00:05-07:002016-10-29T05:00:05-07:00Explain One Play: Kevin Durant steals and seals the win
<figure>
<img alt="NBA: Golden State Warriors at New Orleans Pelicans" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/JVN1EFzJBfG9EYjvjNBhwm1lSBY=/0x209:1932x1497/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51587971/usa-today-9639280.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Two current and one future Warrior do battle. | Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>We look at two plays from the end of the Warriors versus Pelicans game on October 28, 2016 — a golden oldie with new guy Kevin Durant and cohorts Draymond Green and Stephen Curry, and a solid defensive play with a highly athletic finish from Durant to seal the win. </p> <p id="7sJKLy">The Warriors held on to beat the Pelicans in a sloppy game. The Pelicans kept attacking the disorganized Warriors’ defense down the stretch and cut the game down to a 6-point lead twice, with a minute left. But the Pelicans ran out of time and Anthony Davis ran out of energy. There’s only so much of a load you can expect one player to carry.</p>
<p id="BEPQbB">Let’s look at two plays from the final minute that sealed the win for the Warriors: </p>
<h3 id="kzEYg1">Good old High HORNS with brand new Durant flavor</h3>
<p id="GGahWm">This is the old standby High HORNS — sometimes called 45 because the 4 and 5 set a two-sided screen at the top for Stephen Curry. Let’s go down memory lane for a moment and look at two examples. See the pattern and identify the screeners:</p>
<div id="PiphqJ"><div><div style="left: 0px; width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KEUxBisfme4?wmode=transparent&rel=0&autohide=1&showinfo=0&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" style="top: 0px; left: 0px; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div></div></div>
<div id="aV49cM"><div><div style="left: 0px; width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DjguDaGChGY?wmode=transparent&rel=0&autohide=1&showinfo=0&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" style="top: 0px; left: 0px; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div></div></div>
<p id="AhWHi3">The first has Harrison Barnes and Draymond Green setting the screens, with Curry bombing in a ridiculous three. The second has Andrew Bogut and Green screening and, well, Curry bombing in a ridiculous three.</p>
<p id="ToHu7n">As the year went on, the league countered this play with three kinds of strategies: </p>
<ol>
<li id="chMe84">
<strong>Blitz Curry with a double team.</strong> Then, Curry would throw it to Green who then could run a 3-on-2 mismatch. </li>
<li id="UxTtx6">
<strong>Switch the screen.</strong> So if, say, Curry used Green’s screen, then Green’s defender would switch to defending Curry. This left a big man guarding Curry on the perimeter and in the 2015-16 season (pre-injury), this meant death. </li>
<li id="mDBELH">
<strong>Blitz Curry with a double team and have a defender rotate</strong> to cover Green in anticipation that Curry would release to Green. This left Curry with the only option of passing to the other screener — either Barnes (who can’t drive or read quickly) or Bogut (who is immobile, has no long shot and can be overplayed to pass). Not a bad solution.</li>
</ol>
<p id="yLTbDN">This solution doesn’t work anymore due to the new Kevin Durant version of this play. Now you can have Durant and Green screening on both sides and they both can make plays and cut to the rim with speed. Watch:</p>
<div id="3dLtWr"><div><div style="left: 0px; width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 75.0019%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bJTLBBVSNVU?wmode=transparent&rel=0&autohide=1&showinfo=0&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" style="top: 0px; left: 0px; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div></div></div>
<p id="4Jt8w2">The spacing is not great. Curry is blitzed with the double team and somehow Green and Durant are standing too close to each other. Curry throws a dying quail of a pass, which Green saves. </p>
<p id="OuCjDY">At this point, Green has almost too many options. He’s playing 3-on-2 with Klay Thompson and Andre Iguodala open for 3-pointers in both corners, with their defenders in the paint. </p>
<p id="SVP8JZ">Green picks the hardest option, which is to hit a cutting Durant who gets fouled and (with wiser defense) might have picked up a charge. It’s a very nice cut by Durant, but it also shows the team is still figuring out how to play together.</p>
<p id="oGKc1d">For more analysis of High HORNS, check out <a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2015/11/5/9673880/warriors-vs-clippers-highlight-analysis-horns-video-2015?_ga=1.166833854.1449004994.1402600932">One Play: The W's </a><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2015/11/5/9673880/warriors-vs-clippers-highlight-analysis-horns-video-2015?_ga=1.166833854.1449004994.1402600932">s</a><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2015/11/5/9673880/warriors-vs-clippers-highlight-analysis-horns-video-2015?_ga=1.166833854.1449004994.1402600932">top and </a><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2015/11/5/9673880/warriors-vs-clippers-highlight-analysis-horns-video-2015?_ga=1.166833854.1449004994.1402600932">s</a><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2015/11/5/9673880/warriors-vs-clippers-highlight-analysis-horns-video-2015?_ga=1.166833854.1449004994.1402600932">teal a Clippers </a><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2015/11/5/9673880/warriors-vs-clippers-highlight-analysis-horns-video-2015?_ga=1.166833854.1449004994.1402600932">p</a><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2015/11/5/9673880/warriors-vs-clippers-highlight-analysis-horns-video-2015?_ga=1.166833854.1449004994.1402600932">lay</a><strong> </strong>and the many other High HORNS plays (search the <a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2015/12/10/9883604/warriors-playbook-the-explain-one-play-series-index">Explain One Play index</a>).</p>
<h3 id="LbqZXu">Durant steals and seals</h3>
<p id="PF8DSY">After a few whistles, the Pelicans actually have the ball, 6 points down with 49 seconds left. I don’t like this play. You’ll see the ball inbounded to Lance Stephenson, who gets a stagger double-screen across the top from Anthony Davis and Dante Cunningham. </p>
<p id="4vuPVn">Gosh, I wonder who’s going to get the ball? The Warriors <em>don’t</em> wonder, of course. Watch how Durant guards nobody and waits for the ball to get to Anthony Davis. Then, ask yourself why Davis doesn’t drive past the closing Durant to the basket. See for yourself: </p>
<div id="0hvGM0"><div><div style="left: 0px; width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 75.0019%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lZJOtI0WLI4?wmode=transparent&rel=0&autohide=1&showinfo=0&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" style="top: 0px; left: 0px; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div></div></div>
<p id="l35ved">Green starts by covering Davis. But the expectation is that he’ll get a screen. So Durant hangs around maybe a bit too far away from Davis, but he gets to him quickly. </p>
<p id="7YvU63">Then, Davis tries a Curry-like step-back three. But Davis is merely a fantastic athlete and not Curry, so he picks up his dribble on the step-back. Now, when Durant contests the first three and manages to avoid fouling Davis, Davis has no dribble and is doomed. He tries to draw the foul but Durant blocks him instead and is off to the races.</p>
<p id="3KOgNj">Now, I personally think the correct play is to give the ball to Curry’s man and force Curry to switch to Davis. Instead, Curry guards Tim Frazier, who had a nice little game with 21 spinning driving points — but <em><strong>not</strong></em> such a nice game that Curry is going to guard him out on the perimeter (32.4% from 3 for his short NBA career). </p>
<p id="K78FyU">Re-watch to see Curry drift off of Frazier to end up smack in the middle of the lane to deter Davis from driving past Durant. </p>
<p id="GmPb0W">That is one heck of a finish, isn’t it? Here it is again: </p>
<div id="uis67C"><div><div style="left: 0px; width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 75.0019%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BFkWexQ1yxo?wmode=transparent&rel=0&autohide=1&showinfo=0&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" style="top: 0px; left: 0px; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div></div></div>
<p id="0ToDNh">Durant has to swing the ball over the hustling Tim Frazier — passing through to the right — then bring the ball back to his right to keep it away from the contesting Davis on his left. He manages this all while taking his two landing steps, and then kisses the ball softly off the glass for the layup. Wow. </p>
<p id="8sXAIQ">Last year, the W’s could only win when Curry produced unstoppable pressure on the defense. This year, it’s good to see Durant creating his own pressure, but still in the flow of the team concept.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="nKYJYm">
<p id="VAUwpW"><em><strong>I</strong></em><em><strong>f you want to read more video breakdowns — one for every Warriors</strong></em><em><strong>’</strong></em><em><strong> win this season — check out the rest of the series of </strong></em><strong>Explain One Play</strong><em><strong> articles. For the full</strong></em><em><strong>,</strong></em><em><strong> updated index, go to </strong></em><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2015/12/10/9883604/warriors-playbook-the-explain-one-play-series-index"><em><strong>The </strong></em></a><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2015/12/10/9883604/warriors-playbook-the-explain-one-play-series-index"><strong>Explain One Play</strong></a><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2015/12/10/9883604/warriors-playbook-the-explain-one-play-series-index"><em><strong> series index</strong></em></a><em><strong>.</strong></em></p>
<div id="CS52mv">
<script>
(function(d, s, id){
var js,
fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],
p = (('https:' == d.location.protocol) ? 'https://' : 'http://'),
r = Math.floor(new Date().getTime() / 1000000);
if (d.getElementById(id)) {return;}
js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.async=1;
js.src = p + "www.opinionstage.com/assets/loader.js?" + r;
fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);
}(document, 'script', 'os-widget-jssdk'));
</script>
<div id="2397050" class="os_poll" data-path="/polls/2397050"></div>
</div>
https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2016/10/29/13464266/nba-2016-warriors-vs-pelicans-video-analysis-highlights-kevin-durant-stephen-curry-draymond-greenApricot2016-10-29T00:14:38-07:002016-10-29T00:14:38-07:00The Dunks: Warriors at Pelicans 10/28/16<h3 class="link-title"><a rel="nofollow" href="<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The dunks <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DubNation?src=hash">#DubNation</a> <a href="https://t.co/8OnRO29zcI">pic.twitter.com/8OnRO29zcI</a></p>— GoldenStateWarriors (@warriors) <a href="https://twitter.com/warriors/status/792248617230708736">October 29, 2016</a>
</blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>">The Dunks: Warriors at Pelicans&nbsp;10/28/16</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p><p>KD</p></p></div>
https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2016/10/29/13464494/the-dunks-warriors-at-pelicansBornInDaEB2016-10-28T22:44:22-07:002016-10-28T22:44:22-07:003-Point Highlights: Warriors at Pelicans 10/28/16<h3 class="link-title"><a rel="nofollow" href="<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="und" dir="ltr"> <a href="https://t.co/mo1OUCL7dv">pic.twitter.com/mo1OUCL7dv</a></p>— GoldenStateWarriors (@warriors) <a href="https://twitter.com/warriors/status/792237281289441280">October 29, 2016</a>
</blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>">3-Point Highlights: Warriors at Pelicans&nbsp;10/28/16</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p><p>McROY</p></p></div>
https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2016/10/28/13464292/3-point-highlights-warriors-at-pelicans-10-28-16BornInDaEB2016-10-28T22:22:03-07:002016-10-28T22:22:03-07:00Golden State defeats Anthony Davis: 122-114
<figure>
<img alt="Golden State Warriors v New Orleans Pelicans" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/QrxuVNQ7W5xJf8wF4WtKULwGPxg=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51587667/618924910.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Warriors held on to an ever-narrowing lead to defeat Anthony Davis...and some other guys.</p> <p id="gM1Aka">Finally, the long national nightmare that had been a (non-preseason) four-game losing streak comes to an end. The Golden State Warriors got their first win of the 2016-2017 season in a 122-114 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans.</p>
<p id="xJJY1b">The star of the night was the Pelicans’ Anthony Davis. Following up his amazing performance against the Nuggets earlier this week, Davis went for 45 points, 17 rebounds, and was basically the equivalent of Bugs Bunny fielding an entire baseball team. He was everywhere. The Warriors defense doubled him up throughout the night and it didn’t matter, he broke through the likes of a paired up Kevin Durant and Draymond Green and managed to score. He had an amazing block on Durant that was so late, I actually thought the shot had gone in until I noticed them fighting for the ball on the ground. </p>
<p id="QBzQtI">The Warriors were not lacking in the star department, however. Durant, Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry all scored more than 20 points each. Durant, Green, and Zaza Pachulia combined for 39 rebounds, 49 overall for the Warriors. The team managed 32 assists. The ball movement, especially later in the game, was flowing seamlessly, even if it wasn’t always fruitful. It was a promising look. </p>
<p id="oISzF1">Fittingly, Davis started off the scoring in the first quarter, only to have the Warriors answer back. Golden State took an early lead that lasted late into the third quarter. Pachulia led the team in scoring at one point in the first quarter, scoring the majority of his 10 total points there and walking away with a double-double for the night with 11 rebounds. Durant also had a double-double with 30 points and 17 rebounds. </p>
<p id="MQHlvb">Patrick McCaw entered the game early, seeing about 10 minutes of play with three points and an assist, those three points coming from downtown. Unfortunately, he <a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2016/10/28/13463884/nba-2016-golden-state-warriors-new-orleans-pelicans-patrick-mccaw-ankle-injury">exited the game </a>with a sprained ankle at the half.</p>
<p id="7k6Gym">The defense struggled in the third quarter, showing low energy and allowing their opponents ample room to move and get open for shots, which allowed the Pelicans to briefly take the lead with 4:30 remaining in the the quarter. </p>
<p id="J0JkNU">However, due to an explosive 8-0 run by Curry, who’d had a slow game thus far, they quickly regained the lead. During that time there was a refreshing resurgence of offensive rebounds. This allowed Curry a 3-pointer, after two failed attempts by Thompson, to start the run. </p>
<p id="Ht63II">Sloppy ball handling and defense allowed the Pelicans to make a run at the lead in the fourth quarter, but ultimately the Warriors held on and took the game. </p>
<h3 id="IosIoD">This & That:</h3>
<ul><li id="ZzgBU7">Kevin Durant received his first technical foul of the regular season:</li></ul>
<div id="O3pHSB">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" align="center">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Kevin Durant has already had it with Lance Stephenson, sends him flying <a href="https://t.co/O0xTGQEtPM">https://t.co/O0xTGQEtPM</a></p>— The Cauldron (ICYMI) (@CauldronICYMI) <a href="https://twitter.com/CauldronICYMI/status/792213686899314688">October 29, 2016</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<ul><li id="p1LbEd">Kevon Looney had a promising appearance:</li></ul>
<div id="sY9E71">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" align="center">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Kevon Looney's first five meaningful minutes of the season: 4 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists. Warriors a +10 in those five minutes.</p>— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) <a href="https://twitter.com/anthonyVslater/status/792206572940328960">October 29, 2016</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<ul><li id="v0OAXs">Durant brought the dunks:</li></ul>
<div id="lTjApe">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" align="center">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">That <a href="https://twitter.com/KDTrey5">@KDTrey5</a> dunk was too good not to loop <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DubNation?src=hash">#DubNation</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RIPVine?src=hash">#RIPVine</a> <a href="https://t.co/Hm9zuPD9td">https://t.co/Hm9zuPD9td</a></p>— GoldenStateWarriors (@warriors) <a href="https://twitter.com/warriors/status/792188147341856768">October 29, 2016</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="FAh1dY">(Obligatory R.I.P. Vine)</p>
<ul><li id="6coo8u">As did Shaun Livingston:</li></ul>
<div id="h3T5kh">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" align="center">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Shaun with both hands <a href="https://t.co/jjE1VJRyss">pic.twitter.com/jjE1VJRyss</a></p>— GoldenStateWarriors (@warriors) <a href="https://twitter.com/warriors/status/792210544396636160">October 29, 2016</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="NYr3H4"></p>
<h3 id="PTwCHh">What’s Next?</h3>
<p id="ePSdFp">The Warriors will face the Phoenix Suns this Sunday, October 30th, at 3pm in Arizona. </p>
<p id="fOM1Qe"></p>
https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2016/10/28/13464064/nba-2016-golden-state-warriors-new-orleans-pelicans-kevin-durant-anthony-davisSami Higgins