Warriors vs. Pelicans: 3 things you need to know

The New Orleans Pelicans have the toughest task in basketball: knock off – somehow – the Golden State Warriors, the best team in the NBA. 

The Warriors won the season series 3-1. It's one versus eight. Anthony Davis versus Stephen Curry. 

Here's what you need to know. 

A Golden Season

The Warriors made history in 2014-15. They won 67 games, the most in franchise history, and became the 10th team all-time to do so and the first since the 2006-07 Dallas Mavericks. They won their first division title since 1976 and lost two of 41 games at home. 

They led the league in field-goal percentage (47.8), 3-point percentage (39.8) and assists per game (27.4). They had the league's second-best Offensive Rating (109.7 to the Los Angeles Clippers' 109.8) and, more impressively, the league's best Defensive Rating (98.2) and Net Rating (11.4). There's more: Golden State boasted the league's best true shooting percentage (57.1) and PACE (100.69). In other words: how can they possibly lose four of seven? 

Led by first-time head coach Steve Kerr – the seemingly ultimate thinking-man's coach, who has taken lessons learned from Phil Jackson, Gregg Popovich, Lenny Wilkins and more, and applied them to his Warriors – and MVP candidate Curry, Golden State dominated the Association over the past five-and-a-half months. There's no other way to put it.

New Orleans' task is daunting. Only one team beat the Warriors twice this season – the San Antonio Spurs. The Pelicans have to double that feat if they hope to advance to the second round of the playoffs. 

Davis' First Dance

Anthony Davis will play in his first postseason game Saturday afternoon. Life is good. 

If the Pelicans pull off a miraculous upset, it will be because of the 22-year-old whose 30.89 PER was tops in the league and the 11th-highest in NBA history, and who led the league in blocks. If the Pelicans lose, at least we'll have our first taste of Davis in the playoffs. Everybody wins. (Except, probably, the Pelicans.)

The Boards

The Warriors' domination led to their having the league's best starting lineup. Marreese Speights, Andre Iguodala and David Lee make up the league's most formidable bench. But there's one area where the Warriors aren't elite, while the Pelicans are: rebounding. 

The Pellies finished fourth in offensive rebounding and 13th in defensive rebounding, compared to the Warriors' 21st and 18th marks, respectively. In Golden State's defense, you can't be beasts on the offensive glass when you make all your shots.  

The Pelicans need a miracle, and if they get it on the boards, we could have a series.

Here's what we know: With Curry, Davis, Klay Thompson and Tyreke Evans involved, we're in for at least four – maybe five, if we're lucky – entertaining games. 

Starting Lineups

Series Outlook

*if necessary