What we learned as Podz is that Waters is driving the Warriors' comeback win against Pels

What we learned as Podz was Waters fueling Warriors' comeback win over Pels originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

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SAN FRANCISCO – The Warriors' strength was never in question as coach Steve Kerr used a 12-man rotation and even played as many as 14 in each of Golden State's first three games. The quality of the team's many pieces is what was put to the test Tuesday night against the New Orleans Pelicans without Steph Curry, Andrew Wiggins and De'Anthony Melton.

At the beginning the results were poor. However, after the Warriors settled in and found the right combinations, Golden State got rolling and Chase Center rocked with a 124-106 victory. The Warriors outscored the Pelicans 110-75 over the final three quarters, a margin of 35 points.

Brandin Podziemski was phenomenal in Curry's place at point guard. The second-year pro was a plus-17 with 19 points and five assists. Buddy Hield really got going 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 turning it over eight times. Their swarming defense also produced 14 steals and the Warriors scored 32 points off 32 turnovers by the Pelicans.

Here are three takeaways from the Warriors' surprising win.

Surprise starting lineup

Kerr had two starters in Curry and Wiggins and a key reserve player in Melton and 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 was in no way beautiful or successful. 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 as Podziemski provided seven points and Moody added three. Kerr's starters didn't play together for the rest of the first half.

Additionally, they were not on the floor together at the start of the second half. Or the rest of the game at all.

The Warriors will again be without at least Curry and Melton on the second night of their meeting against the Pelicans on Wednesday, and it will be incredibly interesting to see what changes, if any, Kerr makes to his starting lineup.

Kuminga's answer

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

He didn't come back into the game until five minutes before the end of the third quarter, replacing Moody again. Upon his return, Kuminga quickly showed what type of attack suits him best: two dribbles and a layup to extend the Warriors' lead to six points. Immediately afterwards, Kuminga's impact was felt on both ends of the pitch.

Like all of his teammates, Kuminga got better as the game progressed. He could have sulked and gotten out of control. Instead, Kuminga efficiently scored 17 points on 6 of 13 shooting off the bench.

Wet water

When Kerr was asked about Waters before the final game, the Warriors coach said he had 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 3-pointer, in the first quarter, but then provided big minutes in the second quarter as the Warriors outscored the Pelicans 33-20.

In the second quarter, Waters went 3 of 5 from the field and made his only 3-point attempt for nine points. He also grabbed five rebounds – three on offense and two on defense. And then Kerr rewarded Waters by bringing him on after halftime, replacing Hield.

Within the first 30 seconds of the second half, Waters hit a three-pointer to get the Warriors' offense going. Waters is expected to make his mark at the 3-point line, but he's also proven he's more than just a specialist.

During the preseason and in his opportunities early in the season, general manager Mike Dunleavy appears to have found a gem in Waters. Waters, considered a long-range weapon, also had a career-best nine rebounds and was the game's best player at plus-26. His chances certainly remain.

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