After two relatively routine wins in Oakland, the Warriors were smashed by the Pelicans 119-100 on Friday night in New Orleans, behind a 33 point, 18 rebound performance by Anthony Davis.
Almost nothing went right for Golden State, who shot 38 percent from the field (29 percent from behind the line), and looked a step slow all evening. The Warriors were able to keep things close through two quarters despite being outplayed on both ends, but folded in the 3rd when they were outscored 31-16.
Both Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant struggled from the field, shooting a combined 37 percent overall while going 4-15 from deep. Klay Thompson led Golden State with 26 points on 9-22 shooting. The Pelicans meanwhile shot 50 percent from the field, made 14 threes, and had five players score in double figures, including former Warrior Ian Clark, who dropped 18 points in 22 minutes.
After a 59-20 free throw advantage in favor of the Warriors through the first two games, many, Steve Kerr included, expected the officials to blow a few quick whistles in favor of the Pelicans at the beginning of Game 3. It’s a factor that may have even had an affect on Golden State’s starting lineup, that surprisingly featured JaVale McGee — who played just six in the first two games combined — starting on Anthony Davis.
Despite all the talk, however, the Pelicans didn’t shoot a single free throw in the first quarter, yet finished the frame up nine, even while Davis scored only 3 points. The reason? Poor parameter defending by Golden State leading to six Pelican’s 3s (including three from Solomon Hill), and disjointed offensive play reminiscent of the end of the regular season (9/25 FG, 1/7 from 3, 4 turnovers).
Golden State closed the gap to six in the second period, in large part due to a 20-point performance by Klay Thompson, the highest scoring quarter of his postseason career.
Klay Thompson scored 20 points in the second quarter, the first 20-point quarter of his postseason career (previous high: 19 points in the fourth quarter on May 28, 2016 at Oklahoma City).
— Warriors PR (@WarriorsPR) May 5, 2018
It appeared as if the Warriors were primed for their customary 3rd quarter run, down single digits despite getting roundly outplayed in the first half. That never came to fruition, however, as the Pelicans put together their most impressive quarter of the series, blasting the Warriors 31-16 in the period.
Kerr’s decision to start McGee on Davis in the second half seemed to backfire, with the Warriors going -8 in the seven minutes he was on the floor. The stretch also seemed to get Davis in a rhythm, with the big man dropping 14 points in the quarter, after entering halftime with just 11.
The Warriors will look to take a 3-1 lead back to Oakland, when the face the Pelicans in game Game 4 on Sunday.