Golden State Warriors at New Orleans Pelicans NBA Picks & Predictions 10/20/2017

Friday, October 20, 2017

Smoothie King Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Golden State Warriors travel to Smoothie King Center to play the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday, October 20, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has Golden State as 6.5 point favorites.

The Warriors come into this game after finishing last season with an overall record of 67-15. They were 1st in the Pacific Division. They had a point differential of 11.6 as they averaged 115.9 points per game while giving up 104.3 per contest. The Pelicans had an overall record of 34-48 last season. They were 4th in the Southwest Division. They averaged 104.3 points per game and surrendered 106.4, good for a point differential of -2.1.

Valuable Golden State Warriors Betting Trends

The Golden State Warriors were 39-39-4 against the spread last season

The Golden State Warriors were 32-50-0 against the over/under last year

Important New Orleans Pelicans Betting Trends

The New Orleans Pelicans were 38-42-2 against the spread last season

The New Orleans Pelicans were 38-44-0 against the over/under last year

Key Golden State Warriors Injuries

10/19/17 F Draymond Green Knee injured last game, is "?" Friday vs New Orleans
10/18/17 F Omri Casspi Ankle is "?" Friday vs New Orleans
10/17/17 G Andre Iguodala Back is "?" Friday vs New Orleans

Key New Orleans Pelicans Injuries

10/19/17 C Alexis Ajinca Knee is "?" Friday vs. Golden State
10/16/17 PG Rajon Rondo Hernia out indefinitely
10/14/17 F Solomon Hill Hamstring out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Stephen Curry comes into this contest after averaging 25.3 points per game while playing 33.4 minutes per night last season. He pulled down 4.5 rebounds per game and dished out 6.6 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage was 47% while his free throw percentage finished at 90%. Kevin Durant averaged 25.1 points per game in 33.4 minutes per contest last season. He averaged 4.8 assists per contest and 8.3 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage was 54% for the year while his free throw percentage was 88%.

Player Spotlight

Demarcus Cousins averaged 27 points per game while playing 34.2 minutes per contest last year. He grabbed 11 rebounds per game and had 4.6 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage was 45% and his free throw percentage was at 77%. Anthony Davis averaged 28 points per game last season and he saw the court an average of 36.1 minutes per contest. He also averaged 11.8 rebounds per contest and 2.1 assists per game. His field goal percentage was 51% and his free throw percentage was 80%.

Useful Team Statistics

Golden State averaged 115.9 points per contest last season, which ranked them 1st in the NBA. Their average scoring margin was 11.63 and their shooting percentage was 50% as a team, which had them ranked 1st. Behind the arc they shot 38% which was good for 3rd in the league. They averaged 44.4 rebounds per game and 30.4 assists per game, which ranked them 7th and 1st in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they ranked 9th with 14.8 per game. The Warriors allowed 104.3 points per game to their opponents which ranked them 11th in the league. They also allowed a 44% shooting percentage and a 32% average from behind the arc, ranking them 1st and 1st in those defensive categories. Opponents averaged 43.5 rebounds a game which ranked 14th and they gave up 22.7 assists per contest, which put them in 13th place in the league. They forced 15.5 turnovers per game which ranked them 30th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

New Orleans was 18th in the league with 104.3 points per game last year. They were 20th in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin was -2.1. They shot 35% from 3-point range, which was good for 19th in the NBA. They were 13th in the league in rebounding with 43.7 boards per game, and 12th in assists per contest with 22.8. The Pelicans were 26th in turnovers per game with 12.9. The Pelicans surrendered 106.4 points per contest, which ranked them 17th in the NBA. Their defense allowed a 45% shooting percentage and a 35% average from 3-point range, ranking them 9th and 10th in those defensive statistics. They ranked 20th with 23.4 assists allowed per contest and 30th with 48.3 rebounds surrendered per game. The Pelicans were 15th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14 per game last season.

Advanced Statistics

The Warriors were 1st in the NBA in offensive rating with 115.6, and their defensive rating of 104 was ranked 29th last season. In terms of pace they were 4th in the league with 99.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 56% was 1st. As a team they were 1st in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 60% and they shot 3 pointers on 36% of their shots, ranking 6th in the league. Golden State was 9th in turnovers, as they turned the ball over an average of 13.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.5 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season was 49%, which was 30th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

New Orleans was 27th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turned the ball over an average of 11.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.4 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season was 51%, which was 19th in the league. The Pelicans were 26th in the NBA in offensive rating with 105.2, and their defensive rating of 107.4 was ranked 22nd. In terms of pace they were 8th in the league with 98 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 50% was 20th. As a team they were 22nd in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shot 3-pointers on 31% of their shots, ranking 16th in the league.

Who will win tonight's Warriors/Pelicans NBA game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take New Orleans +6.5

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