New Orleans Pelicans vs Golden State Warriors Picks and Predictions November 22nd 2024

Pelicans vs Warriors November 22nd 2024

At 7:30 ET, the Golden State Warriors (-504) will take on the New Orleans Pelicans (+380) at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. The over/under line is set at 222.5.

Golden State is currently favored by 10.5 points, and they come into this game with an 11-3 record. They are 1st in the Western Conference and 1st in the Pacific Division. New Orleans is 14th in the West and 5th in the Southwest Division. They have lost three straight games.

Warriors vs. Pelicans Key Information

Golden State improved to 11-3 on the season with a 120-97 win over the Hawks on Wednesday. Playing at home, the Warriors were favored by 7.5 points and covered the spread, while the total points of 217 fell well short of the 239.5 O/U line.

A 17-0 run early in the game helped Golden State take control, as they extended the score from 23-17 to 40-17. After leading 41-22 after the 1st quarter, the Warriors held the Hawks to 20 points in the 2nd quarter. Atlanta fought back in the 3rd, outscoring Golden State 33-23, but the Warriors closed out the game by winning the 4th quarter 30-22.

Andrew Wiggins led the Warriors to a win over the Hawks, scoring 27 points on 70.6% shooting, with 9 points in the 4th quarter. Stephen Curry added 23 points, hitting 4 threes at 66.7% efficiency, and contributed 8 assists, scoring 8 points in the final period.

Stay Ahead with NBA Consensus Picks! Discover NBA consensus picks to guide your game night.

Golden State made 14 threes at 35% shooting, with an overall FG% of 46.5%. Trayce Jackson-Davis chipped in 14 points and 11 rebounds, while Buddy Hield scored 8 of his 11 points in the 1st quarter.

The Warriors put on a defensive clinic against the Hawks, limiting them to just 97 points on 33% shooting from the field. Golden State held Atlanta to 22 points in both the 1st and 4th quarters and gave up just 20 points in the 2nd.

From beyond the arc, the Warriors were equally effective, allowing the Hawks to make just 12 threes on 26% shooting. Golden State also recorded 10 steals and 7 blocks in the game.

The Pelicans dropped to 4-12 on the season after a 128-100 road loss to the Cavaliers on Wednesday. New Orleans entered the game as +14 point underdogs and failed to cover the spread. The total score of 228 points exceeded the pre-game O/U line of 217 by 11 points.

New Orleans fell behind early, trailing 29-24 after the 1st quarter and 40-31 in the 2nd. The 3rd quarter was decisive, as the Pelicans were outscored 36-18, leaving them down 105-73 heading into the 4th. They won the final quarter 27-23, but the game was already out of reach.

In their loss to the Cavaliers, the Pelicans managed just 100 points, shooting 42.4% from the field and hitting only 8 threes at a 25.8% clip. Antonio Reeves was the standout, connecting on 4 threes and finishing with 34 points, including 11 in both the 2nd and 4th quarters.

Brandon Boston contributed 14 points, 6 of which came in the final period, while Yves Missi added 12 points, with 8 of those in the opening quarter. Elfrid Payton chipped in 11 points, scoring 5 in the 3rd quarter.

The Pelicans struggled defensively on Wednesday, giving up 128 points to the Cavaliers. Their toughest stretch came in the 2nd quarter, where they allowed 40 points, followed by 36 in the 3rd. They did manage to tighten up in the 4th, holding Cleveland to 23 points.

New Orleans allowed Cleveland to shoot 52% from the field, including 42% from beyond the arc, where the Cavaliers hit 18 threes. The Pelicans sent Cleveland to the line 14 times, with the Cavaliers converting 12 free throws. Defensively, the Pelicans recorded 9 steals and 3 blocks.

We’re calling a win for the Warriors, with a final score of 119-96, and we’re taking them to cover the spread. Our recommendation is to bet on the Warriors at -10.5.

As for the over/under, the the line is currently at 222.5, and our model projects the Warriors and Pelicans to reach a combined total of 215 points. Our bet is on taking the under.

Warriors Face Pelicans, Out to Stay Perfect in NBA Cup Play

The Golden State Warriors aim to keep their unbeaten NBA Cup record intact when they visit the injury-depleted New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night.

Golden State has already secured home victories over the Dallas Mavericks and Memphis Grizzlies in West Group C action. A win in New Orleans would not only maintain their lead in the group but also enhance their point differential, a potential tiebreaker in the tournament format.

Pelicans Struggling Amid Injuries

The Pelicans enter Friday at 1-1 in NBA Cup play, tied with the Mavericks and Denver Nuggets for second place in West Group C. After a 101-94 home win over Denver last Friday, New Orleans has dropped three straight games by a combined 74 points, including a 128-100 rout at the hands of the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday.

Amid the adversity, rookie guard Antonio Reeves was a bright spot for the Pelicans. The former Kentucky standout exploded for 34 points in 40 minutes, far surpassing the 23 points he had tallied across his first eight games.

“It’s a credit to (coach) Jodie Meeks and our Birmingham Squadron (G League) team,” Pelicans coach Willie Green said of Reeves. “(Reeves) coming into the gym every day, getting his shots up, paying attention, and gameplan discipline. It all pays off when you get on the floor.”

Reeves’ emergence has been a silver lining for a team missing key contributors Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, CJ McCollum, Trey Murphy III, and others. This injury-ridden roster will face a tough challenge against a well-rounded Warriors squad.

Warriors Rolling Despite Changes

The Warriors, who have already won six road games this season, arrive in New Orleans relatively healthy. The lone absence is De’Anthony Melton, who is out for the season with a torn left ACL.

In Melton’s place, Lindy Waters III has stepped into the starting lineup and made an immediate impact. Waters has hit multiple 3-pointers in each of Golden State’s last three games, including a 10-point performance in Wednesday’s 120-97 victory over the Atlanta Hawks.

“He’s a good fit next to that group,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said of Waters’ fit with the starters. “I like bringing Buddy (Hield) off the bench. The bench group has been really good this year. Starting with Lindy allows us to keep the bench intact and gives us another shooter and defender in the starting lineup.”

Hield and Jonathan Kuminga have thrived in their roles off the bench, with both scoring in double figures against Atlanta. Hield previously started in a 124-106 home win over New Orleans last month, scoring 28 points. He added 21 points as a reserve in the rematch, a 104-89 Golden State win that completed a series sweep.

Transform Your NBA Betting Strategy! Access the best NBA Betting Tips.

Past Meetings Favor Warriors

The Warriors have already defeated the Pelicans twice this season, showcasing their depth in both contests. Golden State secured the second victory without Stephen Curry, who missed the game due to a left ankle strain.

Now at full strength, the Warriors are poised to capitalize on the Pelicans’ depleted roster. A win on Friday would solidify Golden State’s NBA Cup position while dealing a significant blow to New Orleans’ tournament hopes.