Because the Warriors enter the NBA’s last weekend, there may be nonetheless loads left to find out when it comes to playoff positioning.
The Dubs head to Sacramento on Friday because the No. 6 seed within the West however may end anyplace from the No. 5 seed all the way in which right down to No. 9, relying on how this weekend goes.
The NBA’s defending champs will end their common season at Portland on Sunday afternoon after the street sport at Sacramento, giving the Warriors an opportunity to try to discover their rhythm away from Chase Middle. The Dubs carry a 9-30 street document into this weekend, making them one among solely 4 groups within the NBA to lose 30 or extra street video games this season. The opposite three are the league’s three-worst groups: Houston, Detroit and San Antonio.
Might there be some strategizing about potential opponents heading into this weekend? Groups clearly need to keep away from the play-in match, however the new-look Phoenix Suns, with Kevin Durant added subsequent to Devin Booker, are locked into the No. 4 seed and could also be a foe different groups attempt to keep away from.
Two wins would assure the Warriors a top-six spot and would permit them to overlook the play-in solely. Any loss opens the door for others, although.
Right here’s how the muddied center of the West stacks up and their remaining video games this weekend:
Western Convention 5-9 seeds and remaining video games
5. Clippers (42-38): Saturday vs. Portland, Sunday at Phoenix
6. Warriors (42-38): Friday at Sacramento, Sunday at Portland
7. Lakers (41-39): Friday vs. Phoenix, Sunday vs. Utah
8. Pelicans (41-39): Friday vs. New York, Sunday at Minnesota
9. Timberwolves (40-40): Saturday at San Antonio, Sunday vs. New Orleans
Within the occasion that Golden State finishes tied with another Western Convention foes, right here is the Warriors’ tiebreaker scenario with every crew:
Lakers: LA wins tiebreaker by profitable three of 4 head-to-head video games this season.
Clippers: Groups cut up 4 video games this season. Clippers win tiebreaker based mostly on division document (Clippers 8-7, Warriors 6-9).
Pelicans: Groups cut up season collection. New Orleans wins tiebreaker based mostly on convention document (Pelicans 29-22, Warriors 28-22, however outcomes to achieve a tie would transfer New Orleans forward).
Timberwolves: Groups cut up season collection. Minnesota wins tiebreaker based mostly on convention document (Warriors 28-22, Timberwolves 27-23, however outcomes to achieve a tie would transfer Minnesota forward).
And a few attainable three-way tiebreaker situations:
GSW-LAC-LAL: Clippers first, Lakers second, Warriors third – based mostly on head-to-head document (Clippers 6-2, Lakers 3-5, Warriors 3-5, then goes to Lakers 3-1 vs. Warriors)
GSW-LAC-NO: Pelicans first, Warriors second, Clippers third – based mostly on convention document (Pelicans 29-22, Warriors 28-22, Clippers 25-25)
GSW-LAL-NO: Lakers first, Pelicans second, Warriors third – based mostly on head-to-head document (Lakers 6-2, Pelicans 3-5, Warriors 3-5) and convention document (Pelicans 29-22, Warriors 28-22)
GSW-MIN-NO: Timberwolves first, Warriors second, Pelicans third – based mostly on head-to-head document (Timberwolves 4-3, Warriors 4-4, Pelicans 3-4)