The Stretch

 The Golden State Warriors play five more games in the regular season, and the playoffs are still in doubt. In their first two home games of the current three game stand, they lost a very important game to Minnesota, and won a crucial game against New Orleans, both games affecting the standings in this preposterously tight Western Conference, from the four seed on down.  

In this stretch run, the Warriors will likely need to win most of the remaining games to make the playoffs outright.  How many they can lose and still avoid a play-in game is unknowable.  Which makes everything unknowable with this enigmatic team.  Normally you could pre-pencil in a W against San Antonio, with the second worst record in the conference, in Friday's home game.  But these Warriors have made too much of a habit of losing focus with lesser teams, and they are coming off two home games in which they played two, maybe 3 good quarters (which includes the amazing second half against New Orleans when they came from 17 back to win by double digits.)  

They then travel to Denver, which normally would be a tough game, except Denver may not play its stars with nothing at stake--except the chance to keep Golden State out of the playoffs, a major motivation.  So, yes, probably a tough game--about the toughest left.

Then immediately back home to play Oklahoma City, which is currently 2 games out of the playoffs--and could be closer by then.  Then back on the road to Sacramento, currently the 3 seed within striking distance of second seed.  Depending on how things go for them in the intervening games, they may have something to play for.  Then their final game at Portland, which may or may not mean something by then.  At this moment, with five games to go, it seems unlikely Portland will be playing for better position, and the seeding may be settled by then--though I wouldn't bet on it.

Though the Warriors don't play either of the LA teams again, what the Clippers and the Lakers do in the next five games may also play a big role in how the Dubs' season ends.  The Lakers seem ascendant, but the Clippers are almost as much of a puzzle as the Warriors.

Especially with individual brilliance, the Warriors have provided thrills as well as chills this year but stability has not been one of their virtues. Maybe we'll never know what happened this season--mental fatigue, distraction, internal tensions, complacency, whatever.  All I know is that coach Steve Kerr looks like he's aged 10 years since October. We keep hearing about the championship Warriors turning the corner, but even with that great half against New Orleans, I'm not convinced they have.  And they are running out of street.