The New Orleans Pelicans made the Golden State Warriors look like the 8 seed and made themselves look like the 1 seed for most of the game tonight. In actuality though, it’s the other way around. Game three of the series was close through the end of the first quarter, but during the second quarter the Pelicans started to run away with it. They manhandled the Warriors and took a ten point lead, outscoring the Warriors by a score of 37-27 to take an 11 point halftime lead. Steve Kerr had many halftime adjustments last night.
When the second half started, it was just like the second quarter- all Pelicans. The Pelicans came out ready to continue their domination of the Warriors, and they definitely did that. The Pelicans again outscored the Warriors by a favorable margin of 26-17. Stephen Curry and the Warriors had looked well defeated at this point, as they could not buy a bucket against the Pelicans defense or stop Anthony Davis and company. Pelicans were looking pretty up 20 points on the Warriors, and the Warriors have never won when down by 20 or more going into the 4th quarter in the shot clock era.
When the fourth quarter came around, the Warriors flipped the switch back to their normal, dominating selves. The comeback bid was on for the Warriors, as they battled themselves back all the way from a twenty point deficit to make it a game again. They played their best quarter of all night, as they held the Pelicans to just 19 points, and they put on an offensive show. The score was 102-107 New Orleans with 12 seconds left, and Steph Curry hit a clutch three to make it a two point game. Anthony Davis missed one and made one free throw on the next possession, and it was a 3 point game with 10 seconds left in the game. With one shot left, the Warriors gave the ball to MVP candidate Stephen Curry, and he came through for his team hitting a crazy three with 3 seconds left. After Tyreke Evans missed one last jumper, the game was set to go to overtime tied 108-108. The Warriors outscored the Pelicans by a score of 39-19 to make their comeback.
Stephen Curry started the overtime making another three to go up 111-108. After Tyreke Evans makes a free throw and misses one, Harrison Barnes and Eric Gordon traded threes to make the score 114-111 Warriors. Draymond Green then made an and-one layup, followed by an Anthony Davis midrange jumper. After Andrew Bogut slammed down a dunk, Monty Williams called a timeout down 119-113. Out of the timeout, Tyreke Evans got to the rim for a layup. The Pelicans then stopped the Warriors, and on the ensuing possession Ryan Anderson hit a big three to make the score 119-118. Draymond Green grabbed an offensive rebound after Steph missed a three, and the Warriors used one of their timeouts while up 119-118 with 44 seconds left. Coming out of the timeout, the Warriors again went to Steph Curry, but he missed the shot this time. Luckily for Golden State though, New Orleans missed a three pointer and were forced to foul Steph Curry who made both free throws with 14 seconds remaining. The Pelicans used their final timeout of the game down three. After Klay Thompson was called for an off ball foul, Anthony Davis hit the free throws and his team got the ball, just two points. The ball went to Anthony Davis on the next play, but he missed going right at Andrew Bogut in the paint. With just 3 seconds left and Steph Curry on the line to go up by 4, the comeback effort had been sealed for Golden State. They won the game 123-119 to go up 3-0 in a thriller.
The Warriors were not too hot during tonight’s game, as no one could get the ball in the basket other than the splash brothers. They shot 40% and 34% from three, both below their season average. It didn’t matter though, as Steph and Klay were able to carry the Warriors scoring load just fine. Stephen Curry finished tonight with a game-high of 40 points and he also assisted on 9 passes. Klay Thompson scored 28 points while shooting 6-12 from deep in the Warriors cold night. Harrison Barnes scored 11 points for his team, and Draymond Green and Shaun Livingston both scored 12 with Livingston coming off the bench.
Anthony Davis played phenomenally, as the brow recorded a double-double in the victory, scoring 29 points and grabbing 15 rebounds, and he also stole the ball 2 times and emphatically blocked 3 shots. Ryan Anderson and Tyreke Evans played great basketball tonight. Ryan Scored 26 points on 10-14 shooting off the bench, and Tyreke scored 19 points while stealing the ball 3 times. Norris Cole played great off the bench as he scored 16 points for his team.
The Pelicans played amazing through three quarters, but they blew their lead badly in the final quarter. The Warriors now hold a 3-0 series lead over the Pelicans, and will go for the series sweep next game. Game 4 will be played tomorrow at 8:00 P.M. in New Orleans again.
