The Warriors head into a five game break 17 games over 500, and will face the red-hot Grizzlies (41-28) at Oracle this Friday. The Grizzlies are 7-3 in their last 10, and are inching up on Golden State ever so slightly. If the Warriors do end up snagging the 6th seed, or maybe 5th, the potential first round matchups are very favorable for the Warriors. Lets start off with the toughest, most hated, and most likely opponent:
Toughness Grade: A
Why?
LA has arguably the best point guard in the league in CP3, and a young superstar in Blake Griffin. (That hurts me to type). Not only do they have two pieces, but a young center in DeAndre Jordan who is a rebounding machine. The Clippers (49-21) have become one of the leagues deepest teams with the acquisitions of Forward's Danny Granger and Glen (Big Baby) Davis, the Clips have made a statement. The Warriors are 2-2 against the Clippers, each team winning their home games. As a Warrior fan, this matchup gives me worries because of the Clippers bench and coaching experience. One side has an experienced, Finals winning coach. When on the other side, the Warriors have a less experienced coach in MJax.
Anyone else hate Blake?
Up next, a young and tough team that the Warriors have matched up against pretty well to this point:
The Houston Rockets
Toughness Grade: A-
The new-look Rockets (47-22) have become one of the strongest and most difficult teams in the West to defeat, and have made it tough for many teams to come away with a W. Houston vs Golden State: Everyone would tune in. Always a good matchup, the Warriors have struggled against them this year though. But, the Warriors defeated them at the Oracle last time out in Overtime. (Block by JO on Chandler Parsons) All in all, the Warriors match up great with Houston. Iggy and Parsons, Klay and Harden, Steph and Lin/Beverly, and Bogut/Jo and D12. However, the Rockets seemed determined this year and will definitely be a tough one for the Dubs if this happens.
via dimemag.com
(Jermaine absolutely erases Chandler Parsons dunk attempt to seal the deal)
Lastly, probably the most wanted matchup among Dub fans:
Toughness Grade: B
The Blazers (45-25) are the most unlikely matchup for the Warriors, as they sit currently in the 5th seed. LaMarcus Aldridge has been hurt for the past couple of weeks, and the Blazers record has been on the decline ever since. Portland got absolutely destroyed last night by the Bobcats, losing by a near 30. It seems the Blazers and Warriors matchup well, the Warriors taking the last matchup between them by one. Nick Batum dominated that game, draining 5 threes and grabbing 14 boards. The two meet next on April 13 for one last battle, this time in Oakland. An unlikely opponent, but still something to definitely think about.
via cdn.fansided.com
Could this happen come mid-April?
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