Pelicans at Warriors
Reigning MVP Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors begin the task
of defending their NBA title when they open the season against the
visiting New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday. Curry drained a league-record
286 3-pointers and averaged 23.8 points and 7.7 assists while leading a
fast-paced attack to 67 regular-season wins and 16 more in the playoffs.
Golden State coach Steve Kerr is away from the squad after undergoing two surgical procedures on his back and assistant Luke Walton is running the team in his absence. “Anytime you lose your leader, it’s going to be different,” said power forward Draymond Green, who remained with the Warriors by signing a five-year, $82 million contract. “However, I think Coach Kerr built a great coaching staff to where one man goes down, another man steps up – just like with this team.” Alvin Gentry was Golden State's lead assistant last season and he is now the coach of the Pelicans - a rising team led by star power forward Anthony Davis that made the playoffs last season before being swept by Golden State in the first round. “He has a skill level that if it continues to get better, he’s almost a 7-foot guy who can put the ball on the floor and take it anywhere he wants,” Gentry told reporters of Davis, who averaged 24.4 points, 10.2 rebounds and a league-leading 2.9 blocks last season.
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, TNT
ABOUT THE PELICANS (2014-15: 45-37): New Orleans has six players dealing with current injuries and the most costly one is the loss of versatile guard Tyreke Evans for six-to-eight weeks after recent knee surgery. "I know he will get back as soon as he possibly can," Gentry said. "He loves to play. He can play in pain. I just want him to get well and get completely healthy." Complicating matters is that point guard Jrue Holiday is on a minutes restriction of 15 per game as he returns from surgery on his lower right leg and backup point guard Norris Cole is sidelined with an ankle injury.
ABOUT THE WARRIORS (2014-15: 67-15): Curry and shooting guard Klay Thompson (239) form the "Splash Brothers" and combined for 525 3-pointers last season, a league record by a pair of teammates. Preventing Green (11.8 points, 8.2 rebounds) from leaving as a free agent was a pivotal move for a team that returns all five starters - including center Andrew Bogut and small forward Harrison Barnes. "We won't be complacent," Thompson told reporters. "Guys on this team are too competitive. We tasted winning and we're kind of addicted."
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Warriors have won the last five regular-season home meetings with the Pelicans.
2. New Orleans will be without SF Quincy Pondexter (knee) and will likely play without C Omer Asik (calf) but Gentry expects both C Alexis Ajinca (hamstring) and F Luke Babbitt (hamstring) to be available.
3. Golden State's 83 total victories last season was third most in NBA history - behind the Chicago Bulls' teams of 1995-96 (87) and 1996-97 (84).