The red-hot Golden State Warriors will look to make it eight straight wins Monday night when they host the New Orleans Pelicans. The Warriors have taken advantage of a long home stand early in the year. They are 5-1 on their home floor, with their last win coming over the Magic 126-119 in overtime. Stephen Curry scored 41 points and Draymond Green facilitated with 13 assists. The Pelicans have lost two straight, including a 139-123 loss to the Clippers in Los Angeles Sunday night. Trey Murphy III led the team in scoring with 26 points, but the Pelicans could not slow down their opponent, allowing the Clippers to shoot 55%.
The Warriors are a perfect 5-0 on their current homestand with a win differential of 11.8 points. Golden State is winning games handily despite Jimmy Butler, Kristaps Porzingis, and Moses Moody all missing time with injuries. At age 38, Stephen Curry has looked like a younger version of himself, averaging 31.3 points per game, and 33.8 during their current seven-game winning streak. The Warriors will have a scheduling advantage with New Orleans playing in the second half of a road back-to-back. The Pelicans have struggled defensively, allowing opponents to score 118.8 points per game. With Yves Missi out with injury, New Orleans has also struggled to rebound the basketball and limit second chance points. Considering the Pelicans struggles defensively, I expect the Warriors to follow their normal script of running a fast-paced attack. I’m not worrying about the Pelicans offense. With Zion Williamson, Dejounte Murray, and Saddiq Bey, the Pelicans are averaging 120 points per game. But I do believe if we see this team show any fatigue from playing their second straight game, it will be on the defensive end.
Pelicans vs Warriors prediction: Over 232.5(-110) is available at the time of publishing. Playable at 234(+105).
