With the Pelicans already eliminated from the playoffs, Golden State is likely looking ahead to their Sunday game against Memphis.  Regardless of the result of this game, the eighth seed in the West will come down to the Golden State – Memphis game on Sunday.  That will be important, as picking up the eighth seed means one less game in the play-in tournament and a better shot at a playoff spot.  It will be interesting to see how the Warriors handle this game, knowing Sunday is a much more important game.

Golden State is a 2-point favourite to win on the NBA odds with a total of 224.5.

NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis

These teams split a two-game set in New Orleans just over a week ago, with the Under hitting in both games.  Steph Curry finished with 41 points in the first contest and 37 in the second, both game-highs.

Eliminated from postseason contention, the Pelicans have nothing left to play for and they come into Friday with four losses in their last six games.  They’ve been a great cover option lately however, going 8-2 against the spread in their last 10 games.  The total has gone Under in five of New Orleans’ last six games.

After an inconsistent start to the season, the Warriors are finishing strong.  Golden State has won six of their last seven games overall and eight of their last nine home games.  They’re an even 35-35 ATS this year and they’ve been hot lately, covering in six of their last seven games.  The Under has hit in five straight games between these teams.

New Orleans Pelicans

It was a bit of an odd game for New Orleans against Dallas on Wednesday.  Seven Pelicans’ players hit double-digit points, but none of them could manage more than 15 in a 125-107 loss.  Willy Hernangomez picked up a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.  This could be a rough game for New Orleans, as they’ll be missing Zion Williamson (finger), Brandon Ingram (ankle), Lonzo Ball (thumb), Steven Adams (toe) and Josh Hart (thumb).

The Pelicans defence has been awful all season.  They allowed Dallas to shoot 49 per cent from the floor on Wednesday and were only able to force eight turnovers in the game.  The loss officially eliminated New Orleans from postseason contention for the third straight year.

Golden State Warriors

This is a Golden State team that is becoming more dangerous each game.  Curry leads the league in scoring, averaging 31.8 points per game, while Draymond Green is looking for his fourth straight double-double (points and rebounds) and Andrew Wiggins has averaged over 23 points a night over his last eight games.  If Klay Thompson was playing this year, the Warriors would be a strong contender heading into the playoffs.

Curry has been the catalyst for this teams for years.  His 21-point performance in a 122-116 win over Phoenix on Tuesday was low by his standards, but he’s still managed to put up 57 points combined over his last two games.  With Sunday’s game against Memphis being so important, it might seem reasonable that Golden State would rest their stars for this game.  Keep in mind, however, the Warriors have been off since Tuesday and they may actually lean more towards giving their big players a healthy amount of minutes to gear up for Memphis.  Regardless, Golden State is a scary team down the final stretch of the regular season.

NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Pelicans vs. Warriors?

• Regular Season

Pelicans Team Leaders

NO

Points	Zion Williamson 27
Assists	Lonzo Ball 5.75
Rebounds	Steven Adams 8.86
FG%	Jaxson Hayes 62.5
Steals	Lonzo Ball 1.49
Blocks	James Johnson 0.86

GS

Points	Stephen Curry 31.98
Assists	Draymond Green 8.86
Rebounds	Draymond Green 7.11
FG%	Gary Payton II 76.9
Steals	Draymond Green 1.67
Blocks	Jordan Bell 2

• Regular Season

Warriors Team Leaders

NO

Points	Zion Williamson 27
Assists	Lonzo Ball 5.75
Rebounds	Steven Adams 8.86
FG%	Jaxson Hayes 62.5
Steals	Lonzo Ball 1.49
Blocks	James Johnson 0.86

GS

Points	Stephen Curry 31.98
Assists	Draymond Green 8.86
Rebounds	Draymond Green 7.11
FG%	Gary Payton II 76.9
Steals	Draymond Green 1.67
Blocks	Jordan Bell 2

Injuries

New Orleans

James Johnson (PF)

Ques Sun Knee - 15 / 05 / 21

Naji Marshall (PF)

Prob Fri Shoulder - 13 / 05 / 21

Wes Iwundu (SF)

Ques Sun Shoulder - 13 / 05 / 21

Lonzo Ball (PG)

out for season Thumb - 12 / 05 / 21

Brandon Ingram (SF)

out for season Ankle - 05 / 05 / 21

Steven Adams (C)

out for season Toe - 05 / 05 / 21

Lonzo Ball (PG)

Prob Tues Thumb - 04 / 05 / 21

Steven Adams (C)

Prob Tues Toe - 29 / 04 / 21

Steven Adams (C)

Prob Wed Toe - 25 / 04 / 21

Steven Adams (C)

Prob Sat Ankle - 23 / 04 / 21

Golden State

Jordan Poole (SG)

Prob Sun Ankle - 15 / 05 / 21

Draymond Green (PF)

Ques Sun Finger - 14 / 05 / 21

Andrew Wiggins (SF)

Prob Sun Knee - 14 / 05 / 21

Mychal Mulder (SG)

Ques Fri Foot - 13 / 05 / 21

Draymond Green (PF)

Prob Tues Hip - 04 / 05 / 21

Andrew Wiggins (SF)

Out Mon Knee - 03 / 05 / 21

Draymond Green (PF)

Prob Sat Back - 01 / 05 / 21

Kelly Oubre Jr. (SF)

Early June Wrist - 28 / 04 / 21

Kent Bazemore (SG)

Prob Thurs Illness - 23 / 04 / 21

Damion Lee (SG)

Out indefinitely Illness - 20 / 04 / 21

Injuries

New Orleans

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
James Johnson (PF)	Ques Sun	Knee - 15 / 05 / 21	0-2	2-0	+ -
Johnson was forced from the last contest with a left knee injury, leaving his status for Sunday's battle with the Lakers clouded.
Naji Marshall (PF)	Prob Fri	Shoulder - 13 / 05 / 21	1-2	2-1	+ -
Marshall was removed from the last game with a right shoulder injury, but he is expected to dress for Friday's tilt with the Warriors.
Wes Iwundu (SF)	Ques Sun	Shoulder - 13 / 05 / 21	1-2	2-1	+ -
Iwundu sat out the last game due to a left shoulder sprain, and it is unclear if he will play against the Lakers on Sunday.
Lonzo Ball (PG)	out for season	Thumb - 12 / 05 / 21	1-2	2-1	+ -
Ball is out of commission with a right thumb strain, and he miss the remainder of the season.
Brandon Ingram (SF)	out for season	Ankle - 05 / 05 / 21	4-2	2-4	+ -
Ingram is expected to miss the remainder of the 2020-21 season with a low-left ankle sprain.
Steven Adams (C)	out for season	Toe - 05 / 05 / 21	4-2	2-4	+ -
Adams will miss the rest of the 2020-21 season with a right toe sprain.
Lonzo Ball (PG)	Prob Tues	Thumb - 04 / 05 / 21	4-3	2-5	+ -
Ball is managing a right thumb sprain, but it is likely that he will dress for Tuesday's battle with the Warriors.
Steven Adams (C)	Prob Tues	Toe - 29 / 04 / 21	8-3	3-8	+ -
Adams has missed the last three games with a right toe sprain, but it is anticipated that he will take on the Warriors on Tuesday.
Steven Adams (C)	Prob Wed	Toe - 25 / 04 / 21	8-4	3-9	+ -
Adams missed the last game with a sprained right toe, but it is likely that he will lace up for Wednesday's clash with the Nuggets.
Steven Adams (C)	Prob Sat	Ankle - 23 / 04 / 21	9-4	4-9	+ -
Adams exited the previous contest with an ankle injury, but it is likely that he will be in the lineup Saturday versus the Spurs.

Golden State

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Jordan Poole (SG)	Prob Sun	Ankle - 15 / 05 / 21	3-0	2-1	+ -
Poole is expected to dress for Sunday's tilt with the Grizzlies despite a left ankle sprain.
Draymond Green (PF)	Ques Sun	Finger - 14 / 05 / 21	3-0	2-1	+ -
Green sat out the previous game with a finger injury, and it is unknown if he will play Sunday versus the Grizzlies.
Andrew Wiggins (SF)	Prob Sun	Knee - 14 / 05 / 21	3-0	2-1	+ -
Wiggins missed the last game due to a knee injury, but it is projected that he will line up against the Grizzlies on Sunday.
Mychal Mulder (SG)	Ques Fri	Foot - 13 / 05 / 21	3-0	2-1	+ -
Mulder is nursing a foot injury, and it is unknown if he will face the Pelicans on Friday.
Draymond Green (PF)	Prob Tues	Hip - 04 / 05 / 21	7-1	4-4	+ -
Green is managing a hip injury, but it is likely that he will face the Pelicans on Tuesday.
Andrew Wiggins (SF)	Out Mon	Knee - 03 / 05 / 21	8-1	4-5	+ -
Wiggins is dealing with right knee soreness, and he will not play in Monday's game versus the Pelicans.
Draymond Green (PF)	Prob Sat	Back - 01 / 05 / 21	8-2	5-5	+ -
Green is bothered by a left trapezius contusion, but is it projected that he will be available to face the Rockets on Saturday.
Kelly Oubre Jr. (SF)	Early June	Wrist - 28 / 04 / 21	8-4	6-6	+ -
Oubre Jr. is sidelined with left wrist soreness, and he is not expected to return to the court until the early part of June.
Kent Bazemore (SG)	Prob Thurs	Illness - 23 / 04 / 21	9-5	6-8	+ -
Bazemore has been added to the COVID-19 injured list, but it is likely that he will suit up against the Timberwolves on Thursday.
Damion Lee (SG)	Out indefinitely	Illness - 20 / 04 / 21	10-5	6-9	+ -
Lee is sidelined while going through the NBA's health and safety protocols, and it has yet to be established when he will return.