Warriors end 5-game losing streak by closing out Pelicans, 106-102

The Golden State Warriors’ five-game losing streak came to an end on the back of D’Angelo Russell hitting multiple big shots against the New Orleans Pelicans to seal a victory, 106-102.

The New Orleans took a page out of the Golden State Warriors book on late December night in Chase Center. The Warriors jumped out to a significant lead in the opening period, but the Pelicans fought their way back in to set up a tight-battle that went down to the wire.

Although the Pelicans were able to cut the Dubs lead to take one of their own, for the first time in what feels like forever, the Golden State Warriors closed out a basketball game to seal a victory, 106-102.

A monumental D’Angelo Russell three-pointer tied the ballgame with 1:30 left in the fourth quarter. Damion Lee was able to give the Warriors the lead with two clutch free throws.

A suspect foul call on Draymond Green that Steve Kerr decided to challenge was upheld, tying the game again after two Brandon Ingram free throws.

However, it didn’t matter after Russell showed the world why he has ice in his veins. The Warriors All-Star nailed a deep-two with a defender in his face to give the Warriors a lead that they never gave up.

The Warriors 106-102 win snaps a five-game losing streak moving their record to 6-24 on the season.

The Warriors 106-102 win snaps a five-game losing streak moving their record to 6-24 on the season.

Splash Bros-lite

The past five season, the Golden State Warriors have repped the best backcourt in the NBA, but with Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson on the bench, things have changed.

Although Russell and Lee aren’t the tandem, Curry and Thompson are, Friday night against the Pelicans, they attempted their best Splash Brother impression.

Lee and Russell combined for 45 points, eight assists and eight rebounds, carrying the Warriors throughout the game. The Warriors new-look backcourt also knocked down eight shots from beyond the arc against New Orleans.

Coming Out Hot

A common theme for the Golden State Warriors is starting slow, letting the opposing team build a steady lead in the opening period, but at home against the Pelicans, things began differently.

The Warriors blitzed the Pelicans from the jump, outscoring New Orleans 31-16 in the first quarter. A 15-point advantage is rare in Golden State these days, especially unique in the first quarter.

Making their hot first quarter even more impressive is they did it without high scoring output from Russell, Green and Eric Paschall. Lee registered 10-points, and Glenn Robinson added seven— the duo combined for more points than the Pelicans in the first quarter.

Eric Paschall Injured

A win is a sign of relief Warriors, yet they’re likely holding their breath on breakout rookie, Eric Paschall’s injury. Paschall left the Pelicans game in the second quarter and was later ruled out for the game with a knee injury.

Paschall came down awkwardly when JJ Redick rolled up on his leg in the first quarter. Paschall missed two-games recently with a sore hip, but this time around, it’s a knee that took him out of the game.

The Warriors announced Paschall would undergo further evaluation.