The Golden State Warriors conclude with their final three games of the regular season with the New Orleans Pelicans, Utah Jazz and Los Angeles Lakers. Let’s take a look.
Golden State Warriors vs. New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans will be facing the Golden State Warriors in the last of four matchups between the two sides this season. Golden State has prevailed against New Orleans the last three matchups, but the Pelicans play hard ball.
Oracle Arena is one of Anthony Davis’s favorite places to play because of the intense atmosphere. Davis is one of the NBA’s brightest young stars, but it’s been reported by multiple media outlets that this is the targeted game for Kevin Durant’s return. If Golden State has secured the number one seed, we will likely see a lot of players come off the Warriors bench or we will see a tandem of bench players in these games.
Golden State Warriors Vs. Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz will also be coming into town, and the Jazz are in the hunt for the number four seed in the Western Conference. And, when it comes to contenders, the Jazz are almost never brought up, which is a mistake.
Utah is the sneaky-good upstart of the Western Conference, a team of fairly young and underrated players surrounded by older, yet also underrated, veterans. The Warriors have to play their best defensive game and score points off the bench. Fortunately for the Dubs, Andre Iguodala has been a great sixth man and there is no reason to expect anything less.
Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Lastly, the Warriors face the dead last Los Angeles Lakers to conclude the regular NBA season. The Lakers have the worst defensive efficiency in the NBA and the Warriors have exploited it. Given this is the last game of the season, I suspect if Golden State has locked in the number one seed, Steve Kerr will give the Warriors’ starters limited minutes and play the bench as much as possible.
Game Predictions:
There are a lot of variables when it comes to the final three games of the season. The Dubs definitely are the game favorites, but if they’ve secured their spot in the Western Conference, it is always possible we see most of the bench for most of the game. I believe Golden State can take all three games, but if they don’t — the most important thing is for the Warriors to go into the playoffs well rested and healthy. So, let’s finish of the season and get to the NBA Playoffs Dub Nation!
TIPOFF TIMES
- Pelicans – Saturday, April 8 at 7:30 p.m. (PST) on NBC Sports
- Jazz- Monday, April 10 at 7:30 p.m. (PST) on NBC Sports
- Lakers – Wednesday, April 12 at 7:30 pm (PST) on NBC Sports
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Photo Credits (used in video):
- Utah Jazz Logo: by Landry Heaton on flickr as Utah Jazz Logo concept
- Oracle stadium photos: Credit: https://www.goodfreephotos.com/united-states/california/oakland/oracle-arena-basketball-golden-state-warriors-stadium-oakland-california.jpg.php / Credit: bryce_edwards posted on Flickr as Standing Room Only
- Anthony Davis photo: Keith Allison – originally posted to Flickr as Anthony Davis
- Stephen Curry photo: Keith Allison posted to Flickr as Stephen Curry of Golden State Warriors
- Andre Iguodala photo: Keith Allison on Flickr as Andre Iguodala
- Steve Kerr photo: Ketih Allison – posted to Flickr as Steve Kerr
