NBA Playoffs 2018: 5 keys to the Warriors-Pelicans series

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

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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SAN ANTONIO, TX – APRIL 19: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors warms up before the game against the San Antonio Spurs in Game Three of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 19, 2018 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photos by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) /

4. Stephen Curry’s health

The next big storyline to watch throughout this series is when Stephen Curry might return.

Curry has been out with a MCL sprain from March 23 and there is no timetable for his return, although coach Steve Kerr says he is still on track for a timely return.

While Golden State still has plenty of firepower, they have looked relatively human with Curry on the sideline. Golden State’s series win over San Antonio felt anything but easy, even with the series going only five games.

Then again, Golden State still has the second-highest offensive rating in the playoffs at 111.2 points per 100 possessions and that was against a good San Antonio defense. The Pelicans are first, by the way.

The Warriors are still trying to find answers to replace Curry and his production though, especially with how he warps the defense. The Spurs did not have a point guard who could really push the Warriors’ collection of point guards filling in. The Pelicans are playing at a much higher level and have a dangerous group of guards.

To beat Houston (assumedly) in the Western Conference Finals, Golden State will need Curry. And integrating him into a lineup will be a process. That is not a process most teams want to go through during the course of a Playoff series. Not when there are such pressure-packed games.

Curry may still be a ways from playing. But this is the moment Golden State needs to get him back into the flow before that showdown. And that is all assuming the Warriors can get past the Pelicans.

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