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NBA Playoffs 2018: 5 keys to Golden State Warriors vs. New Orleans Pelicans matchup

By Philip Rossman-Reich

OAKLAND, CA - MARCH 14: Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors shoots over Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans at ORACLE Arena on March 14, 2016 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - MARCH 14: Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors shoots over Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans at ORACLE Arena on March 14, 2016 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans
NEW ORLEANS, LA – APRIL 21: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts to a foul by the Portland Trail Blazers during the second half of Game Four of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs at the Smoothie King Center on April 21, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Pelicans defeated the Trail Blazers 131-123 to sweep the series 4-0. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

5. Dealing with Anthony Davis

James Harden likely locked up the MVP award a long time ago with just a consistent level of play over the course of the entire season. But Anthony Davis put in his time and did his work to get into the MVP conversation. If James Harden is Tier One, then Anthony Davis and LeBron James are Tier Two.

Davis finished the season averaging 29.8 points, 11.8 rebounds and 3.5 blocks per game after the All-Star Break. He has upped his game in the playoffs, averaging 33.0 points per game, 11.8 rebounds per game and 2.8 blocks per game. That was a big reason the Pelicans earned that sweep over the Blazers.

Davis is a matchup nightmare even for a team that has good personnel to cover bigs in the league. The Warriors are famous for going small and switching a lot. That might end up being the strategy.

Golden State’s biggest weakness is at center. The team is starting JaVale McGee at that spot with Kevon Looney playing the majority of backup minutes. Both those players are long and have a decent amount of athleticism, but no one is willing to say they can hang with Davis. Then again, who can, with the way Davis is playing right now?

Golden State can gang rebound. In the team’s series win against San Antonio, Golden State accumulated the top rebound rate in the playoffs. The Warriors are third with an 81.5 percent defensive rebound rate. Some of that might be the Spurs’ strategy. They are not an offensive rebound heavy team, preferring to get back and they do not have a voracious rebounder like Davis to attack the glass.

The Pelicans could have an advantage on the glass. And they have the ability to attack the Warriors’ weaknesses. How Golden State deals with Davis — whether it is doubling him, using a craftier but slower defender in Zaza Pachulia or even going small with Draymond Green — will be a key part to this series.

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