Golden State Warriors: Potential First Round Playoff Matchups

New Orleans Pelicans:

Mar 7, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward

(23) blocks a shot by Memphis Grizzlies forward

(50) during the first quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

The Pelicans, have been looking to return to the NBA playoffs for the first time since losing Chris Paul to the Los Angeles Clippers in 2011. Now there is a new star in town named Anthony Davis who is having a breakout year this season, averaging about 24 points, 10 rebounds, and three blocks per contest. Not only has Davis been playing well, his supporting cast of Jrue Holiday, Tyreke Evans, Norris Cole, Ryan Anderson and Omer Asik have been playing at high level as well.

However, injuries to Holiday, Anderson and Davis, throughout the season, has made it difficult for New Orleans to win consistently enough to push themselves into the playoff seedings in the hyper-competitive West.

The Pelicans, also still have some growing to do in terms of their depth on the bench, and overall basketball maturity. The Pelicans do not have a player over the age of 27, so the youth of New Orleans has been a slight burden to securing wins.

As it stands now, New Orleans is one game behind the Thunder in the playoff race, with a 34-29 record, and the ninth spot in the West.

If the Warriors were to play the Pelicans in the first round, the edge would go to Golden State based on their level of experience and basketball maturity.

The Warriors would win the series four games to two. Though some might balk at the notion of the Pelicans winning two games against the Warriors, Golden State might have some trouble keeping Davis from dominating the paint, and the Warriors tend to struggle more on the road than they do at home.

In the end though, the Pelicans’ lack of playoff experience would make it impossible for them to overcome a tough a Warriors team.

Next: San Antonio Spurs