OKC Thunder: Analyzing stretch run schedules with view to seeding

Golden State Warriors:

Week 22 the Warriors began with a road loss to the Spurs and win over the Hawks, but suffered a greater loss in this game when Curry was injured. Golden State closed the weekend losing to the Jazz (and possible first round opponent).

Remaining schedule includes:

• Indiana Pacers, Tuesday 27
• Milwaukee Bucks, Thursday 29
• At Sacramento Kings, Saturday 31
• Phoenix Suns, April Sunday 1
• At OKC Thunder, Tuesday 3
• At Indiana Pacers, Thursday 5
• New Orleans Pelicans, Saturday 7
• At Phoenix Suns, Sunday 8
• At Utah Jazz, Tuesday 10

Nine games remain for the Warriors with six potential playoff seeds, five road games and two back to back sets. The work the Warriors did early will allow them to take their time getting the core  back healthy (sans Curry).

The only team who could catch them for second is the Blazers who could tie them and do own that tiebreak. However, that would require the Warriors losing all remaining games and the Blazers winning out. Stranger things have happened, but it’s unlikely.

That said, as much as the Warriors will want to get the core of Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston to April as close to 100 percent as possible they also can’t afford to dial it in.  The effect of losing a bunch of games at season end isn’t part of their identity.

Golden State and Toronto are the only teams who haven’t lost three games in a row this season, so don’t expect them to start now regardless of the current situation. Still, not knowing if Curry will even be available this postseason sure will make things interesting.

As for key games, like the Rockets each of the west potential playoff seeds will be approached with a similar mindset. Particularly the OKC Thunder, Pelicans and Jazz.

Regardless of what the Dubs say they won’t want to give OKC extra confidence via another loss.