Warriors at Pelicans
Golden State star guard Stephen Curry will be back in the starting lineup when the Warriors visit the New Orleans Pelicans in Friday's Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinal series. Curry injured his left knee on March 23 and returned to action on Tuesday when he scored 28 points off the bench in the Warriors' 121-116 victory.
Golden State coach Steve Kerr told reporters Curry will start in Game 3 and also indicated he will play more than the 27 minutes he received in Game 2. Curry didn't appear to be rusty as he drained five 3-pointers and collected seven rebounds in a strong effort that helped the Warriors take a 2-0 series lead. The Pelicans are well aware they have their backs against the wall but are encouraged by the fact their Game 2 showing was much better than the Game 1 loss. "We played well the whole game but I think we got our rhythm back," guard Jrue Holiday told reporters. "We got our groove back. Maybe just a couple things here and there that we need to change but definitely a positive turnout from this game."
TV: 8 p.m. ET, EPSN
ABOUT THE WARRIORS: It was a frustrating time period for Curry as he kept rehabbing his knee while watching his teammates compete in the playoffs. "It was an eternity it felt like, for sure," Curry told reporters. "When the lights come back on after the starting lineups you're usually in the go kind of mind frame. I had to kind of pace myself and be patient with it. It seemed like it took forever but it was a good feeling to get back out on the floor and just let loose and have fun." Power forward Draymond Green fell one rebound short of his second straight triple-double and is averaging 18 points, 12 rebounds and 11.5 assists in the series.
ABOUT THE PELICANS: Star power forward Anthony Davis is averaging 23 points and 12.5 rebounds through the first two games but New Orleans may need an explosion from him in Game 3 similar to the 47-point effort he posted in the final game of the first-round series against the Portland Trail Blazers. Holiday was solid with 24 points, eight rebounds and eight assists in Game 2 after struggling to 11 points on 4-of-14 shooting in the opener. Point guard Rajon Rondo continued his strong postseason showing with 22 points and 12 assists in Game 2 and he is averaging 12.7 points and 12.7 assists in six playoff games.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Warriors shot 59 free throws (making 46) in the first two games while the Pelicans had just 20 attempts (making 16).
2. New Orleans backup Solomon Hill is just 2-of-10 shooting in the series, while shooting 29.4 percent in the postseason.
3. Golden State SG Klay Thompson had just 10 points on 4-of-20 shooting in Game 2 after scoring 27 in the opener.