Event of the Day: Golden State Warriors versus New Orleans Pelicans
Our event of the day is the NBA game between the Golden State Warriors and the New Orleans Pelicans at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. The game is a rematch of last season’s Western Conference Semi-finals. That series saw the Warriors put away the Pelicans in five games on their way to their second consecutive NBA Championship. The game also sees DeMarcus Cousins, who was the Pelicans’ second-leading scorer last season, face his former team, however he will not play as he is still recovering from injury. Cousins joined the Warriors in free agency as the California team look to complete the three-peat. With both teams doing well early in the season, this is set to be close game and sure to be full of excitement. The Warriors are a team stacked with talent and hungry for success. A championship this season would secure the team’s legacy in the annals of basketball history. After a quiet preseason, it did not take long for the Warriors to once again show their undeniable dominance of the Western Conference. Behind the potent veteran duo of point guard Steph Curry and small forward Kevin Durant, the Warriors have jumped to a 7-1 record through their first eight games. Their dominant offence has come through game after game and the Warriors have posted over 120 points in six of their eight games. The Warriors rule the Western Conference and from the way they have started the season, they appear to have no plans to give up the throne.
However, the Pelicans are one team that could at least challenge the Warriors. They enjoyed a quiet, unremarkable offseason as they came off their best season since 2008. Despite losing the high-scoring DeMarcus Cousins, they could still rely on the talent of their core - the likes of Anthony Davis, Jrue Holiday and Nikola Mirotić. They started the season 4-0, their best start since the 2010-11 season. However, an elbow injury ruled Davis out of games 5 and 6, which the Pelicans dropped to the Jazz and Nuggets respectively. The Pelicans could definitely threaten the Warriors tonight. Though high scoring, the Warriors have also allowed plenty of points and the Pelicans are six for six in 110-plus point games. This is going to be a hard-fought match and entertaining match in the Western Conference this evening.
Honourable mentions around the globe go to the Carabao Cup. Chelsea host Derby County at Stamford Bridge in the Round of 16. Frank Lampard, who spent thirteen years of his playing career at Chelsea, returns to the stadium where he made his name as the manager of the visiting Derby County. The Rams come into this stage of the competition having upset Manchester United in the previous round. A late United equaliser meant the game went to penalties but Derby endured to take the game 8-7 in the shootout. All eyes will be on South London to see if the Championship side can defeat consecutive top-flight teams. Elsewhere, in the WTA World Tour, play continues with Day 2 of the Elite Trophy in Zhuhai, China. In International Cricket, Pakistan and New Zealand face off in the first of three T20 matches at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. In the NHL, the high-flying Canucks host the mid-table Blackhawks at the Rogers Arena.
Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!
Photos by NBA