Golden State Warriors Break Losing Streak in Close Win Over New Orleans Pelicans

Nov 26, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; Golden State Warriors head coach Mark Jackson against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second quarter of a game at New Orleans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

That was a wild one! Tuesday night, the Golden State Warriors broke their three-game skid with a hard-fought win over the New Orleans Pelicans. The final score was 102-101.

After exchanging clutch baskets, the Pelicans found themselves with the possession in the final minutes. Eric Gordon’s 3-point shot rattled out and it was as close as it could possibly be. Klay Thompson chased down the rebound and dribbled out the clock.

In the first quarter, the Warriors came out bursting with some fire. Thompson had five assists and was finding Jermaine O’Neal for some nice layups. O’Neal, who was injured the previous couple of games, had a significant impact with 18 points and eight rebounds. The Warriors led New Orleans 28-18 ending the first.

In the second, as expected, the Pelicans’ offense began to pick up a little bit. They scored 31 points in the quarter as opposed to the Warriors’ 29, and things started to get a little choppy because each player was playing aggressively. The Dubs still boasted the halftime lead of eight.

The third-quarter meltdown, as the Warriors are famous for having, happened again. They lost their offensive intensity, and although they were getting off good shots, they couldn’t find an extra scorer to carry some of the load. These scoring droughts, as we’ve seen in the Lakers and Blazers games, have been problematic for the Warriors. Lucky for them, not too much damage was done, and they escaped only down by one point, after being outscored by nine.

The action picked up in the fourth quarter where the Warriors began to find their offensive life again. Thompson, Draymond Green and Stephen Curry all exchanged clutch shots with Anthony Davis, Jrue Holiday and Eric Gordon. The Pelicans fiercely attacked the paint, but the Warriors were somehow able to manage by making up for it and moving the ball on offense. Thanks to a missed 3-point shot by Gordon, the Warriors escaped with a one-point victory.

The Dubs have banked some goodwill as they head to Dallas to face a streaking Maverick team who has started with the same record as the Warriors at 9-6. Curry and the Warriors face the Mavericks Wednesday and will be looking to pick up win No. 2 against former Warrior Monta Ellis, who is having one of his best seasons since being traded.