Published on: Jan 6, 2022 12:08 pm IST|Updated on: Jan 6, 2022 12:08 pm IST
NOP vs GSW Dream11: The NBA world has been hit by another COVID-19 wave but the NBA world has done its bit to keep the ball hitting the hardwood. And as long as the ball hit the hardwood and as long as I am given a platform to stage my opinions about the league, here I am, engaging in the practise as an NBA writer. For me, the game is more than about some Dream11 prediction, lineup decisions, and there is a lot more to it.
In this game, the New Orleans Pelicans host the Golden State Warriors in a Western Conference scenario. The Pelicans have 13 wins and 25 losses while the Warriors have 29 wins and eight losses, but lost their last game against the Mavericks in a poor offensive showing. New Orleans is clearly having a difficult time but can they notch one against the Warriors team that is coming off a tough loss and potentially will be without Curry?
Pelicans have struggled to piece together wins for most of the season and December was their best month in terms of record. Still, as long as Zion Williamson is out, the depth of the team will look thin unless he returns soon. There are some talented players in the setup but I wonder where this season is heading for New Orleans.
The Warriors are looking fatigued recently and their shots are not falling like before perhaps because of exerting a lot of energy so far. Still, with Poole, Wiggins, Curry, Payton II, Porter Jr., Green, Looney, Bjelica, and soon-to-be returning superstar Klay, the team is looking like a championship-level squad. Host: New Orleans Pelicans Visitors: Golden State Warriors Match Timing: 7 January, @ 06:30 AM Venue: Smoothie King Center
Pelicans: Valanciunas, Hart, Ingram, Herbert, Graham is a terrific lineup Pelicans have a versatile starting lineup and they have a well-balanced attack on the offensive end. With Graham, you get perimeter shooting, Hart has quick feet for drives, Herbert Jones is a developing offensive player, Ingram is a great isolation scorer, and Valanciunas after expanding his shooting range has become more of an offensive enforcer. Off the bench, only Nickeil Alexander-Walker has some scoring prowess but the Pelicans are largely dependent upon the main five. Overall, if the Pelicans defense had more consistency and if the bench was deeper, the team could have won 60% of the games even without Zion.
Warriors: They will have more weapons soon The fact that the Warriors have won more than 75% of their games signifies how much they have implemented their system well this season. Golden State has shown that with their defense, they can create a lot of fractures for the opposition. Even if their scoring range has receded recently, the team has been highly disciplined on the defensive end. The team has high-quality two-way threats like Green, Curry, Wiggins, Porter Jr., Iguodala, Looney, Payton II and they have done a great job of holding the fort at both ends. Once Klay Thompson returns, the team can have four isolation threats in Curry, Poole, Wiggins, and Thompson while the return of Wiseman will provide more rebounding and scoring in the paint. Overall, the Warriors look like an intimidating unit and even if they are a bit fatigued right now, they will have enough in their weaponry to make a deep run in the postseason. Golden State Warriors | New Orleans Pelicans Games: 37| 38 Wins: 29| 13 Defeats: 08| 25
New Orleans Pelicans News
Pelicans Expected Starting Five
Wings: SF: Brandon Ingram PF: Herbert Jones Middle: C: Jonas Valanciunas Guards: SG: Josh Hart PG: Devonte Graham
BENCH: Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Willy Hernangomez, Jaxson Hayes, Garrett Temple, Gary Clarke, Jared Harper, Naji Marshall,
Golden State Warriors Team News
Warriors Expected Starting Five Wings/Forwards: SF: Andrew Wiggins PF: Draymond Green Middle: C: Kevon Looney Guards: SG: Gary Payton II PG: Stephen Curry(QUESTIONABLE)
BENCH: Nemanja Bjelica, Andre Iguodala(QUESTIONABLE), Juan Toscano-Anderson, Otto Porter Jr(QUUESTIONABLE), Jonathan Kuminga, Jordan Poole, Jeff Dowtin, Quindary Weatherspoon, Chris Chiozza.
Jonas Valanciunas(NOP) Points: 25 Rebounds: 16 Assists: 02 Jonas has given the Pelicans a great production from the Center position and helps them remain competitive during many games. The Center has scored 15+ points and grabbed 10+ rebounds per game in most contests this season. Jonas can be selected as a Star/Pro Player in the Dream 11 NBA Fantasy scenario. Expected Fantasy Points Range: 38-49
Stephen Curry(GSW) Points: 14 Rebounds: 09 Assists: 05 Blocks: 01 Curry has been shooting horribly from the long-range for the last two games, shooting around a paltry 10% from the three. Curry has collectively shot under 20% in the last two games but has figured in the 24-38 points range throughout the season on 40%+ shooting. The PG is QUESTIONABLE for the game. Expected Fantasy Points Range: 32-51
Brandon Ingram(NOP) Points: 16 Rebounds: 06 Assists: 04 Steals: 01 Ingram is one of the talented wings in the league and his length enables him to create quality shots, both shooting-wise and in terms of driving to the rim. Brandon has compiled 20+ points, 4-7 rebounds, and 3-7 assists per game regularly this season. Expected Fantasy Points Range: 28-41
Draymond Green(GSW) Points: 02 Rebounds: 03 Assists: 04 Steals: 02 Blocks: 01 The above numbers don’t reflect what Green is all about, those are under his usual production in every aspect. Green has figured in 6-9 points, 6-11 rebounds, 6-11 assists, and 1-4 steals/blocks range throughout the season. Draymond is a Superstar in his own right. Expected Fantasy Points Range: 30-42
Devonte Graham(NOP) Points: 28 Rebounds: 01 Assists: 06 Blocks: 01 Graham is a sharpshooting presence for the Pelicans at the one-guard position. Devonte has done a decent job at giving away assists too this season. He has usually figured in the 11-14 points and 3-6 assists range this season. Expected Fantasy Points Range: 23-39
Andrew Wiggins(GSW) Points: 17 Rebounds: 03 Assists: 02 Steals: 02 Blocks: 01 Andrew is one of the most consistent scorers at the wing position and his high-quality production has influenced the outcomes of multiple games. The superb offensive and defensive Small Forward has figured in the 17-24 points range during most of the games. Expected Fantasy Points Range: 34-40
NOP vs GSW Dream11 Team
PG: G Payton SG: J Poole, N Alexander-Walker SF: B Ingram, A Wiggins PF: D Green(PP), J Hart C: J Valanciunas(SP)
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Since VH1, MTV, Jio TV, and Voot are not going to broadcast/stream this game, there is still one way for the Indian fans to catch the high-octane NBA action. Well, you can tune into the NBA League Pass and by acquiring the annual subscription, you can get live stream of games and also the full game replay afterwards. Catch the score on the official website of the NBA.