The 20-20 Golden State Warriors have been clearly common this season. They’ve struggled to string collectively wins and their offense, aside from Stephen Curry, typically appears stale. Their protection, whereas it has been a brilliant spot for the group this season, continues to battle when it issues most.
Nevertheless, after coming off an anxiety-inducing 116-115 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Warriors now have a possibility to shortly flip their season round. 9 of their subsequent 10 video games shall be in California, with the one video games outdoors of Chase Heart going down in Sacramento and Utah.
Such an prolonged residence keep might deliver a way of consolation and rhythm to a group that appears to have discovered neither this season, particularly over a protracted 25-game winless streak. solely eight video games.
Can the Warriors get again into playoff competition?
Golden State is at the moment the eleventh seed within the Western Convention and definitely hopes to be greater than a fringe group within the playoffs. The choice to usher in Dennis Schröder from the Brooklyn Nets, whereas it did not essentially go as hoped, is proof of that.
After 4 powerful residence video games that resulted in a brutal loss to the lowly Toronto Raptors, the Warriors now have an opportunity to reverse their current fortunes. Though they’re at the moment the eleventh seed, they’re solely 2.5 video games behind the sixth-seeded Lakers, which means a 5 or 6 profitable streak might simply shut that hole, as many Groups outdoors the highest 5 within the rankings confronted equally important difficulties. just lately.
If the Warriors went 7-3 of their subsequent 10 video games, they might basically transfer again into the playoff image heading into the All-Star Recreation — a serious accomplishment for a group that has struggled mightily since December.
Seven wins is not going to be a straightforward feat. The Warriors have not received three video games in a row since mid-November and have received two or extra in a row solely 5 instances this season. Add in powerful matchups towards the Boston Celtics (on nationwide tv), the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder and the Paolo Banchero-led Orlando Magic, and the probabilities of the Warriors reversing their fortunes on this stretch look bleak.
Nevertheless, the remainder of their matchups, towards the Wizards, Kings, Bulls, Lakers, Suns and Jazz (twice), have a mixed profitable share of .402. The matches towards the Wizards and Jazz, final gamers of their respective conferences, shall be notably very important. The Warriors might theoretically afford to lose to Boston, Orlando and OKC and nonetheless handle to realize momentum within the playoff race on this residence sport.
When you definitely cannot take something as a right with this Warriors group, a house sport towards the Wizards, who’ve misplaced seven video games in a row, ought to finish in a victory. Crucial check will come on Monday towards the Celtics who’ve struggled of late. Over their final seven video games, the Celtics are within the backside half of the league in offensive score, defensive score, factors per sport and three-point share.
A win towards the Celtics would considerably increase the Warriors’ confidence and will set the tone for the remainder of this very important 10-game stretch.
