Pelicans vs. Warriors: Live Score, Highlights and Analysis

Stephen Curry poured in 40 points and the Golden State Warriors began their title defense with a 111-95 victory over the short-handed New Orleans Pelicans at Oracle Arena on Tuesday night.

The Pelicans were without Tyreke Evans, Jrue Holiday, Omer Asik, Quincy Pondexter and Norris Cole.

Curry scored 24 of his points in the first quarter, as the Warriors got off to a quick start after receiving their championship rings prior to the game.

New Orleans battled throughout the entire first half, though, taking a 44-43 lead at one point during the second period.

However, the lead was short-lived.

The Warriors ended the half on a 16-5 run to take a 59-49 edge into the locker room.

Golden State would continue to build its lead in the second half, going up by as many as 21 in the fourth quarter.

Curry shot 14-of-26 from the floor, going 5-of-12 from three-point range. He added seven assists and six rebounds to his totals.

As for Anthony Davis, the Pelicans star had one of the worst outings of his career.

Davis missed 14 of his first 15 shot attempts and ended up with 18 points off 4-of-20 shooting. He also missed five free throws, going 10-of-15 from the charity stripe.

The Warriors shot 43 percent as a team and won in spite of 20 turnovers.

The Pelicans made only 42 percent of their shots and were just as careless with the basketball, turning it over 19 times.

New Orleans will continue on the road to take on the Portland Trail Blazers Wednesday night.

Meanwhile, Golden State will get a few days of rest. It will head to Texas on Friday for a Western Conference Finals rematch with the Houston Rockets.