Take: (704) GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS -11.5
There’s no mystery as why the Warriors are such heavy chalk as they open the playoff against the Pelicans. Golden State has been the best team in the league for what amounts to the entire regular season. The Pelicans are not pushovers now that they’re in good health but being competitive here still seems like a daunting task for the underdog.
The Warriors wrapped up the top overall seed for the playoffs some time ago. But I really like the fact this team did very little coasting down the stretch. Keeping the pedal slammed to the floor even throughout a final month where there were literally no meaningful games is a great indicator as to this team’s mental toughness and determination.
The Pelicans did a great job of rallying late to win their way into the playoffs and with the amazing Anthony Davis on the floor, this franchise has a great future. The present isn’t so bad either, and the Warriors clearly need to maintain their focus even with this being a 1/8 series where virtually no one is giving the dog much of a chance. But based on how Golden State played down the stretch, it’s apparent to me intensity and effort won’t be an issue for the favorite.
There’s one stat from the regular season that definitely caught my eye as to this individual game matchup. As good as the Warriors have been all season, they’ve been at their absolute best when being well rested. Check out what the Warriors did when well rested this season. Golden State played 17 games with two or more days rest. They were not only 16-1 straight up in those games, they were also a phenomenal 16-1 against the spread. The average winning margin was 15.3, so they didn’t just beat the opposition in this situation, they literally beat them up.
I will expect a very fresh Golden State team to make the opening game statement on Saturday. The Pelicans will arrive loose and with a nothing to lose attitude. But the Warriors have shown me what I want to see as far as a dominant favorite is concerned and I expect a lopsided win to get the series started. I’ll go ahead and risk laying the big number with Golden State.