What we learned when Podz, Waters, fueled Warriors’ comeback win against Pels originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

BOX SCORE

SAN FRANCISCO – The Warriors’ depth was never in question as coach Steve Kerr used a 12-man rotation in each of Golden State’s first three games, even playing as many as 14 men. was tested on Tuesday night against the New Orleans Pelicans without Steph Curry, Andrew Wiggins and De’Anthony Melton.

At first the results were rough. Once the Warriors settled in and found the right combinations, Golden State was rolling and Chase Center rocked in a 124-106 victory. The Warriors outscored the Pelicans 110-75 over the final three quarters, a 35-point lead.

Brandin Podziemski was phenomenal in Curry’s place as point guard. The second-year pro was a plus-17 with 19 points and five assists. Buddy Hield caught fire in the second half, going a perfect 6-of-6 from 3-point range in the final two quarters for a team-high 28 points. Perhaps the biggest story of the night was Lindy Waters, who scored 21 points in 30 minutes off the bench.

The Warriors took care of the ball much better, totaling 34 assists and only eight turnovers. Their swarm defense also showed up to the tune of 14 steals, and the Warriors scored 32 points off 32 Pelicans turnovers.

Here are three takeaways from the Warriors’ rebound win.

Surprise starting lineup

Down from two starters in Curry and Wiggins, as well as a key reserve in Melton, Kerr shocked many with his starting lineup. Podziemski replaced Curry at point guard, but Jonathan Kuminga was moved to the bench after three games. Hield and Moses Moody came in to join Draymond Green and Trayce Jackson-Davis.

The first look wasn’t pretty or successful in any facet of the game. The Warriors trailed 31-14 after the first quarter and were dominated all over the court. While every Pelicans starter scored in the first quarter, only two Warriors starters scored, with Podziemski adding seven points and Moody adding three. Kerr’s starters did not play together again for the rest of the first half.

They were not on the ground together in the second half either. Or the rest of the game.

The Warriors will be without Curry and Melton again on Wednesday in the second night of a back-to-back against the Pelicans, and it will be incredibly interesting to see what changes, if any, Kerr makes to his starting five.

Kuminga’s response

In less than five minutes Kuminga was off the bench for Moody. But his shot didn’t fall and Kuminga was minus-13 in the Warriors’ ugly first quarter. His second quarter, like the rest of the Warriors, was much better as Kuminga pulled off two of Golden State’s nine first-half steals and scored six more points.

He didn’t re-enter the game until there were five minutes left in the third quarter, once again replacing Moody. Upon his return, Kuminga quickly showed the type of offense that suits him best: two dribbles and a layup to push the Warriors’ lead to six points. Immediately afterwards, Kuminga felt his impact on both sides of the pitch.

Like all his teammates, Kuminga got better and better as the match went on. He could have pouted and played out of hand. Instead, Kuminga scored 17 efficient points off the bench on 6-of-13 shooting.

Wet waters

When Kerr was asked about Waters before the previous game, the Warriors coach said he would have no problem starting the sharpshooter. Kerr didn’t get that far, but Waters was in the game in the first quarter. Waters missed his only shot, a three-pointer, in the first quarter, but then provided huge minutes in the second quarter as the Warriors defeated the Pelicans 33-20.

In the second quarter, Waters went 3-of-5 from the field and made his only three-point attempt for nine points. In addition, he also grabbed five rebounds: three offensive and two defensive. And then Kerr rewarded Waters by bringing him off the break and replacing Hield.

Within the first 30 seconds of the second half, Waters hit a three-pointer to spark the Warriors’ offense. Waters is expected to make his mark on the three-point line, but he also proved to be more than a specialist.

Throughout the preseason and during his early season opportunities, general manager Mike Dunleavy appears to have found a gem in Waters. Considered a long-range weapon, Waters also had a career-high nine rebounds and was a game-best plus-26. His chances will certainly continue.

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