Warriors vs. Pelicans Thursday NBA injury report, odds: Steph Curry in doubt, which shifts spread and total several points each
The NBA-best Golden State Warriors opened as 6.5-point favorites for tonight's game in New Orleans with a total of 220 points, but those numbers at Caesars Sportsbook are down to -2.5 and 213.5, respectively, because Steph Curry is officially questionable and most likely will sit out the second of a back-to-back with a right quad contusion.
Curry has been slumping of late, hitting just 8-for-41 from the field in the past two games, his worst field goal percentage (19.5) over a two-game span in his career. The Dubs were drubbed in Dallas on Wednesday, 99-82, and afterward Curry said this about playing against the Pelicans: "The way it feels right now I'm not optimistic, but we'll see." He was just 5-for-24 vs. the Mavs for 14 points.
It makes a lot of sense to rest the NBA's fifth-leading scorer (26.9 ppg) as the Warriors don't play again until Sunday when Klay Thompson is set to make his season debut. Curry has made at least one three-pointer in 160 consecutive games, an NBA record. That would still be considered active if he sits but obviously not if he plays briefly and then leaves Thursday's game.
Golden State is the only team in the NBA yet to lose back-to-back games this season. In addition to Curry, Otto Porter Jr. and Andre Iguodala are likely game-time calls Thursday. Neither played Wednesday. The Warriors are 3-2 in the second game of back-to-backs this season.
The Pelicans appear quite healthy other than Zion Williamson and it's now pretty evident the former No. 1 overall pick isn't playing this season. New Orleans was embarrassed by the Warriors on Nov. 5, 126-85 in San Francisco, the largest margin of victory (41 points) for the Warriors in the all-time regular season series against the Pelicans. Curry had 19 points.
New Orleans enters on a three-game skid, last playing Tuesday at home and losing 123-110 to Phoenix. The Pels are 1-4 against the spread in their past five.
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