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Stephen Curry is the most skilled player in the NBA. He can beat you with the shot, dribble, and pass with equal amounts of flair and effectiveness. So if the Golden State Warriors MVP candidate is winning 50-50 balls and finding impossible creases in the defense, it will be even more difficult for the New Orleans Pelicans to pull off the first-round upset than anyone anticipates.
Listen closely to the video above. Do you hear Curry’s “Whoooo!” immediately after he dishes to Andrew Bogut for the dagger dunk? That’s indicative of the confidence that never left Golden State during its record-breaking 67-15 regular season, and only intensifies on the postseason stage – especially in front of the raucous Oracle Arena crowd.
Despite the Pelicans holding a lead for the first half’s majority and clawing back to tie it at the start of the fourth quarter, Game 2 never seemed in doubt for the Warriors. And it wasn’t due to the club’s two-way brilliance or even the singular presence of Curry, but the inevitable feeling that Oracle simply wouldn’t let its team lose. Sure enough, timely shotmaking from Klay Thompson in the contest’s final minutes set the stage for Curry’s fortunate find to Bogut.
Game over: Golden State 97, New Orleans 87. The Warriors move to 41-2 in Oakland this season. Reminder: Steve Kerr’s team will carry home court advantage throughout the playoffs
[MarcusD]
