Successfully Chased Down the Eggs

The first quarter ended with the score at 35–25.

Bogut's presence did help the Warriors' half-court defense, but only to a limited extent.

The Pelicans' defensive counterattacks were so fast that Bogut's impact was almost completely negated.

In this quarter alone, the Pelicans scored as many as 18 fast-break points, more than they had managed in the previous two games combined.

There were gains and losses. Jokic spent most of his offensive possessions outside the three-point line so he could get back on defense in time, something Bogut clearly could not do.

At the start of the second quarter, both sides had one starter playing alongside four reserves.

Green led the Warriors, alongside Barbosa, Livingston, Iguodala, and Speights.

Davis led the Pelicans, alongside Dinwiddie, Stephenson, Bojan, and McGee.

Bojan came in and immediately used McGee's screen to receive Davis's pass and knock down a three-pointer.

Although he had stopped starting after Ariza returned, his consistent shooting made him the most dependable scorer off the Pelicans' bench.

At the other end, Speights answered with a signature Mid Range jumper from the high post.

The Pelicans' bench was strong, but the Warriors' reserves were no weaker.

Dinwiddie's driving layup was disrupted by Speights, but Davis followed up, grabbed the offensive rebound, and threw down a dunk.

With Bogut moved into the starting lineup, the Warriors' rim protection naturally weakened.

Green came back and tried to answer with a three from the top of the arc, but Davis's contest made it clang off the rim.

He had talked big throughout this series, but his touch outside the three-point line had never been good.

McGee grabbed the Defensive Rebound, and the Warriors came up empty once again.

Cole shouted anxiously from the sideline.

The reserves had not even played for two minutes, yet the