Dec 11, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) looks to drive to the basket past Golden State Warriors forward Kevon Looney (5) in the first half at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
These three Golden State Warriors must step up to deliver a win on the road against the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday night.
The Golden State Warriors have another great chance to cap off a really good road trip on Tuesday night. With their fifth game of the road trip coming against the New Orleans Pelicans, the Warriors will have a chance to win their fourth during this sequence of road games.
They rallied to defeat the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday night, but they faced plenty of adversity after losing to the Memphis Grizzlies the night before. Containing Anthony Davis won’t be easy and they have had their struggles with him. Here are three players that must step up.
3. Kevon Looney
Kevon Looney saw an increased role against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday. The young big man got a start at the center position and played 18 minutes on the floor and got a little time against Karl-Anthony Towns.
While he will probably play the same amount of minutes on Tuesday night, he will have to take on Anthony Davis for certain sets. It’s yet another valuable opportunity for him to learn and grow as a player by going up against one of the best.
He doesn’t need to be great, he just needs to be efficient and help produce in any way he can. If he can chip in a couple of baskets early then it will be a good night for him and helping continue to boost his confidence.
Dec 11, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) and Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) wait for a rebound during a free throw in the second half at Target Center. The Warriors won 116-108. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
2. Draymond Green
If Draymond Green wants to keep making his mark on his Defensive Player of the Year campaign, there’s no better chance than Tuesday night. Anthony Davis is going to be too much for just young Kevon Looney to handle and Green might honestly just be stuck to Davis like glue the entire night.
Davis is coming off of one of the worst games against his career against the Phoenix Suns and P.J. Tucker. Like Green, Tucker isn’t exactly the tallest guy on the floor and didn’t use length to disrupt the superstar big man.
That’s the blueprint that Green needs to follow on this occasion. He has to be willing to get physical with Davis and make him uncomfortable the entire night he’s on him. This game really could turn into a huge blowout if Green is able to shut him down.
Davis has had some big games against the Warriors this season. Green has to be scrappy with him and force him to turnover the ball. He’s going to get his points but the Warriors can’t allow him to get anything easy.
Dec 11, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) celebrates after making a shot in the second half against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. The Warriors won 116-108. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
1. Kevin Durant
After struggling to defeat the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday, the Warriors would love nothing more than to finish off this road trip with just a huge thrashing of the Pelicans. That means putting this thing away early.
It would be nice if Kevin Durant could have won of those games where he goes off for 30 points and puts on an MVP level performance. His last couple of games have been average for him and a bounce-back performance seems fitting for this.
The same could also be applied here for Stephen Curry. Golden State just needs one of their two MVP’s to go off and win this game for them. This team has been strong on the road all season and winning four out of five would be something to continue to build on.
The Pelicans are struggling this season and are allowing some big performances against them. Don’t be surprised if Durant or Curry puts together a night to be remembered in this one. One shouldn’t rule out Klay Thompson either.
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