Golden State Warriors vs New Orleans Pelicans Picks and Predictions October 30th 2024

Warriors vs Pelicans October 30th 2024

At 10:00 ET, the New Orleans Pelicans (2-2) will travel to take on the Golden State Warriors (3-1) in a Western Conference matchup. The Warriors are favored by 3 points and have a moneyline of -151, while the Pelicans are +128 on the moneyline. The over/under line is set at 219.5.

This game will be played at Chase Center in San Francisco and can be seen on NBCS.

Pelicans vs. Warriors Key Information

• Sport: NBA
• Teams: New Orleans Pelicans at Golden State Warriors
• Where: San Francisco at Chase Center
• Date: Wednesday, October 30th
• Betting Odds GS -3, NO +128 | GS -151 O/U 219.5

The Pelicans Can Win If…

The Pelicans dropped to 2-2 on the season after a 124-106 road loss to the Warriors on Tuesday. New Orleans, favored by 2 points, not only lost but failed to cover the spread. The game’s total of 230 points exceeded the over/under line of 217.5 by 12.5 points.

New Orleans went on a 16-0 run early, turning a 20-14 deficit into a 30-20 lead. However, the Warriors responded by outscoring the Pelicans 33-20 in the 2nd quarter. New Orleans trailed 87-79 going into the 4th, but Golden State pulled away by outscoring them 37-27 in the final period.

The Pelicans shot 54.1% from the field and 40.9% from three-point range in their 124-106 loss to the Warriors, though they only connected on 9 threes. Zion Williamson led the way with 31 points and 8 rebounds, shooting 63.2% from the field.

Brandon Ingram added 30 points, hitting 3 threes at 50% efficiency and shooting 70.6% overall. He scored 12 points in the 1st quarter and added 10 more in the 3rd.

The Pelicans started strong defensively, holding the Warriors to just 14 points in the 1st quarter, but things unraveled after that. They gave up 33 points in the 2nd quarter and then 40 in the 3rd, followed by 37 in the 4th, leading to a 124-106 loss. Overall, New Orleans allowed Golden State to shoot 47% from the field.

One of the biggest issues for the Pelicans was defending the three-point line, where the Warriors hit 21 threes at a 45% clip. New Orleans sent Golden State to the free-throw line 13 times, where they made 11. The Pelicans recorded 35 defensive rebounds, allowed 11 offensive boards, and finished with 4 steals and 6 blocks.

• Across their five previous road games, New Orleans has an ATS mark of 1-4. Their straight up record in these matchups was 1-4 while averaging 99 points per game.
• In their last ten games as the betting underdog, the Pelicans have a straight up record of 4-6 and an ATS mark of 5-5.
• Over their last three games, the Pelicans have an over/under record of 2-1 and are 0-3 vs. the spread.

The Warriors Can Win If…

Golden State improved to 3-1 on the season with a 124-106 win over the Pelicans on Tuesday. The Warriors were +2 point underdogs at home, and they not only won but covered the spread with an 18-point victory. The game’s total of 230 points went over the 217.5-point line.

The Warriors overcame a slow start, falling behind 31-14 after the 1st quarter, including a 16-0 run by the Pelicans. Golden State responded by outscoring New Orleans 33-20 in the 2nd quarter, 40-28 in the 3rd, and 37-27 in the 4th to seal the win.

In their 124-106 loss to the Warriors, the Pelicans shot 54.1% from the field, with Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram leading the way. Williamson finished with 31 points and 8 rebounds, shooting 63.2%, while Ingram added 30 points, hitting 70.6% of his shots and making 3 threes at a 50% clip.

The Pelicans connected on 9 threes, shooting 40.9% from beyond the arc. Ingram scored 12 points in the 1st quarter, while Williamson added 12 in the 2nd.

Despite giving up 31 points in the 1st quarter, the Warriors tightened up defensively in the 2nd, allowing just 20 points, and held the Pelicans to 106 points overall. Golden State gave up 28 points in the 3rd and 27 in the 4th.

The Warriors limited New Orleans to just 9 made threes, though the Pelicans shot 40% from deep. Golden State also put the Pelicans on the line 24 times, where they made 17 free throws. The Warriors finished with 15 steals and 9 blocks.

• Across the Warriors last ten home games, the team averaged 116 points per game while allowing 104. Their record vs the spread in these contests was 6-4, while going 8-2 straight-up.
• In their last five games as the betting favorite, the Warriors have a straight up record of 3-2, while going 2-3 against the spread.
• In their last five games, the Warriors have an over/under record of 4-1 and are 1-4 vs. the spread.

The Lean

The Pelicans come in as the underdog at +3, making them our top choice on the point spread. We not only expect them to cover the spread but also believe they have a strong chance of winning the game outright, especially if you’re aiming for a higher moneyline payout.

Regarding the over/under, the current line is set at 219.5, and our model predicts the Pelicans and Warriors to score a combined 204 points. We recommend betting on the under.

NBA Basketball picks

Short-Handed Warriors Dominate Pelicans with Depth, Seek Sweep in NBA Back-to-Back

The Golden State Warriors, missing several key players, showcased their impressive depth and resilience on Tuesday night, overcoming a 20-point deficit to defeat the New Orleans Pelicans 124-106 in the first game of a rare NBA-style doubleheader. They aim to clinch a sweep when they face the Pelicans again in San Francisco on Wednesday, continuing to leverage contributions from emerging talent.

Warriors Bench Shines Despite Key Absences

With Stephen Curry sidelined due to an ankle injury and Andrew Wiggins and De’Anthony Melton out with back issues, Golden State relied on a reshuffled lineup and emerging talent. Buddy Hield, Brandin Podziemski, and Moses Moody, all making their first starts of the season, scored a combined 64 points. This trio drove Golden State’s comeback with sharp shooting and high-energy play.

Golden State head coach Steve Kerr praised Lindy Waters III, who had previously seen limited court time. Waters delivered a breakout performance, logging 31 minutes and posting 21 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists. Kerr expressed confidence in Waters’ consistency and skill, calling him “one of our best players, frankly,” and underscoring the value of Golden State’s roster depth in enduring the NBA season’s demands.

Three-Point Prowess and Turnovers Define the Game

The Warriors’ ability to dominate from beyond the arc was instrumental in Tuesday’s win. They connected on 21 of 46 three-point attempts (45.7%), far surpassing New Orleans’ nine three-pointers. Hield led the three-point attack with seven successful shots from deep, while Moody contributed five three-pointers in six attempts, scoring 15 of his 17 points from long range. This perimeter strength compensated for the Pelicans’ overall shooting advantage of 54.1% to Golden State’s 47.4%.

However, it was the turnover battle that truly defined the game. Despite high-scoring contributions from Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, who scored 31 and 30 points, respectively, the Pelicans struggled with ball control, committing 24 turnovers to the Warriors’ 11. Williamson alone had seven turnovers. These mistakes allowed Golden State to take 23 more shot attempts than New Orleans, effectively neutralizing the Pelicans’ shooting accuracy.

Pelicans Seek Quick Turnaround, Learn from Past Back-to-Back Experience

This back-to-back format is not new to the Pelicans, who recently faced the Portland Trail Blazers in a similar two-game sequence. After narrowly winning the first game, New Orleans fell to Portland in the rematch, 125-103. This week, the roles are reversed, with the Pelicans in the position of seeking redemption. Zion Williamson noted the benefits of the NBA’s back-to-back structure, saying, “Sometimes you get to see the team again the next day or two days later. Other times, you’ve got to wait. But you always get another shot at it.”

Learning from their previous back-to-back experience and Tuesday’s game, New Orleans will need to prioritize limiting turnovers and defending against the three-pointer to even the score.

Warriors’ Depth as a Long-Term Strategy

Golden State’s strong bench performance reflects an intentional strategy of development and adaptability, which Steve Kerr highlighted as essential for managing the rigors of an 82-game season. With Curry, Wiggins, and Melton out, the Warriors turned to emerging players who demonstrated both versatility and patience. Kerr’s confidence in Waters, for example, points to Golden State’s emphasis on developing “ballplayers”—players with strong instincts, defense, and unselfish play rather than simply shooting prowess.

As Kerr noted, “The game flows when he’s out there. It’s not just because he’s a good shooter; he’s a good basketball player.” This reliance on multi-dimensional players could benefit Golden State as they contend with the unpredictable demands of a long season.

Looking Forward

Golden State’s impressive depth positions them well for a potential sweep against New Orleans in Wednesday’s rematch, while the Pelicans must make key adjustments to avoid a second loss. By minimizing turnovers and improving perimeter defense, the Pelicans hope to bounce back and capitalize on their shooting efficiency. Meanwhile, the Warriors are likely to continue showcasing their depth, with young players gaining experience that could prove invaluable over the course of the season.

This game, and the second of the doubleheader, highlight the potential impact of a well-rounded roster that can step up in the absence of star players—a strategic strength the Warriors aim to harness as they push through the season.

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