The Golden State Warriors are just 12-7 SU and 8-11 ATS over their last 19 games on the road. The Warriors will get their first road test of the postseason on Thursday night against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center.
NBA Betting: Golden State Warriors vs. New Orleans Pelicans odds, matchup stats
The Golden State Warriors take a 2-0 playoff series lead on the road into what will be a hostile environment in New Orleans in Game 3.
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Golden State is a 5-point road favorite against New Orleans, according to sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com. The Warriors have been the favorite in 10 of their last 13 games on the road.
For most teams, scoring 17 points in the first quarter and 16 points in the third quarter of the same game isn't going to be enough to win. However, fueled by a 38-point second quarter and an outstanding game on defense, the Warriors not only won Game 2 over New Orleans, but also covered the spread as an 8.5-point favorite in the 97-87 win.
Golden State improved to 41-2 SU and 27-15-1 ATS at home on the season in taking a 2-0 series lead, but now the Warriors must get the job done on the road.
At different points in the series, the Pelicans have looked like they can hang with the Warriors. But against a team as good as Golden State, New Orleans needs its best effort for all four quarters, as anything less is likely to fall short.
The Pelicans covered the spread as an 11.5-point underdog in a 106-99 loss in Game 1, but now New Orleans will try to turn the corner and pick up an outright upset. The team did just that the last time it hosted the Warriors, winning at home 103-100 as a 4.5-point underdog.
Thursday night's total for the Warriors vs. Pelicans betting matchup is set at 203 points at the sportsbooks. The UNDER is 2-0-1 for totals bettors in the last three games between New Orleans and Golden State, according to the OddsShark NBA Database.
Game 3 is a big game for both teams. If Anthony Davis can lead his Pelicans to an upset, all of the pressure will shift to Golden State in Game 4. But with a road win, Golden State would take a 3-0 stranglehold on the series and be well on its way to the next round.
