Warriors' seven-game streak meets Pelicans defense ranked 23rd

The Golden State Warriors (7-3), winners of seven straight with the NBA's second-best shooting, host the New Orleans Pelicans (4-6) and the league's 23rd-ranked defense at 10 p.m. ET Monday, November 9.

The Warriors' effective field goal percentage of 56.3 ranks second in the league, and nearly half their shots come from three. New Orleans allows opponents 55.0, 23rd, a defense that already gives up good looks.

Tempo is the other fight. The Pelicans play at the fifth-fastest pace in the league, the Warriors at the 22nd. New Orleans takes fewer threes than any team and leans on the rim and the line; its free throw rate ranks third.

Zion Williamson carries that attack, averaging 21 points on 62.3% shooting and leading the Pelicans with 2.2 steals a game. Dejounte Murray adds five assists.

Stephen Curry scores 31.3 points a game and shoots 98.5% at the line. Draymond Green adds 7.9 assists.

New Orleans is without center Yves Missi, who is out. He averaged 7.5 rebounds and two blocks in two games, and his absence thins the interior against a Warriors team ninth in offensive rebounding.

The Warriors' injury list is longer. Jimmy Butler (30 minutes a game), Moses Moody, Kristaps Porzingis (23.4) and Will Richard are out. Gui Santos is probable.

The Warriors have won their last five at home, the closest a 116-113 win over Phoenix. The Pelicans have lost two straight, the latest 139-123 at the LA Clippers.

Sportsbook prices give the Warriors a 76% chance to win. Our projection, blended with the market, also has them at 76% and favored by 8.2 points.