Warriors vs. Pelicans: No Pressure Celebrating Regular-Season Finale

The New Orleans Pelicans host the Golden State Warriors in the regular season’s finale. Willie Green will be balancing his team’s rest while building momentum for the play-in game.

Chris Dodson | Apr 10, 2022

Warriors vs. Pelicans: No Pressure Celebrating Regular-Season Finale /

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The New Orleans Pelicans (36-45, 9th Western Conference) have clinched a home play-in game versus the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday, Apr. 13. Sunday's 82nd game feels like a celebration considering the 1-12 start. The pressure will come in the 83rd game. The team and fans have come a long way since Devonte’ Graham’s buzzer-beater in Oklahoma. Even a loss playing the reserves heavy minutes will feel like a win.

New Orleans Pelicans vs. Golden State Warriors

When: April 20, 2022 @ 8:30 PM CT
Where: New Orleans, LA Smoothie King Center
How To Watch/Listen: TNT, ESPN 100.3FM New Orleans

Expected Starting Lineups:

New Orleans Pelicans: Jose Alvarado, Herb Jones, Trey Murphy III, Jaxson Hayes, Willy Hernangomez

Golden State Warriors: Jordan Poole, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, Draymond Green, Kevon Looney

A respectable loss where New Orleans covers the spread might be the best outcome. Bet with your head, not your heart though. Coming off of a bad loss in Memphis, the Pelicans head home for a season-finale against a motivated Golden State Warriors squad. Steve Kerr even kept Klay Thompson on the bench last night so he’d be more refreshed for the trip to New Orleans.

Golden State is going for a much-needed win. Willie Green is playing to get his team fresh and playing with some momentum before Wednesday. He said the Pelicans “will not flush the tape” on that Memphis loss. There are many lessons to be learned and mistakes corrected. Green will need to go with the hot hand in the coming elimination game against Gregg Popovich.

Andre Iguodala and Otto Porter Jr. will likely be watching from the sidelines even though the Warriors need a win to maintain the third seed in the Western Conference. It’s a safe bet from Kerr considering the Pelicans might rest Jonas Valancuinas, Brandon Ingram, and CJ McCollum. Jose Alvarado and Trey Murphy III will get their chance to lead the team from start to finish.

The New Orleans bench went from 24th in points before the All-Star break up to 9th in the 22 games. There is a chance they steal a win and spoil the Warriors’ plans. Either way, get out and enjoy the game. The halftime concert with Manny Fresh and Juvenile will just be the interlude of this season’s celebration game.

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Published Apr 10, 2022

CHRIS DODSON