Portland Trailblazers (48-33) @ Golden State Warriors (35-46)
Tip-Off: 7:30 pm | CSN Bay Area | KNBR 680
You know what this game reminds me of?
Think back 4 years ago. 2007. Final game of the season. Ring any bells?
The Warriors were playing the Portland Trailblazers in the final game of the regular season. Win and they're in the playoffs. The Warriors won 120-98 setting off insanity in the Bay Area and leading to one of the greatest upsets in the NBA playoffs. Good times. Great times.
Ahhhh memories. I can re-watch that video clip and re-read that recap all the time. It's a reminder of what it could be like if this team could ever be in the playoffs.
This year's final regular season game versus the Trailblazers is not a must win. Nobody will reminisce on this game. Nobody will remember where they were when they watched this game. Their might be some tears shed just like 4 years ago, but they will be tears of frustration and sadness, not joy.
And so we close another season in the same way we have closed 17 of the last 18 seasons.
Lottery-bound.
This game will be about as exciting as an exhibition game. The Warriors may have more to play for than the Blazers. Portland is sitting at 6th in the Western Conference, 2 games behind 5th place Denver and 2 games in front of 7th place New Orleans.
The Warriors are playing for pride. See, not much to play for. Nobody cares who wins this game.
I take that back, Joe Lacob cares because he thinks extra wins at the end of this season will make the Warriors a more attractive franchise. The Warriors franchise will point to the 3 game win streak where they toppled the Mavericks, @Blazers and Lakers. They'll point to it as a sign of things to come. They'll point to it as the potential they see in this team.
I don't care whether the Warriors win or lose. If they lose and Milwaukee wins, they'll be tied for the 10th worst record and there will be some kind of coin toss to determine who gets the 11th spot vs the 10th spot in the draft. Knowing the Warriors, they'll win, get the 11th spot, and analysts will say this is a 10 player draft with a significant drop off after the 10th pick.
But I'll be honest, I'm hoping for just one thing...Stephen Curry does not play. He tweaked his ankle running up the court against Denver and there's really no point for him to play this game. All that would accomplish is put his ankle in further danger of further injury. Please sit him and let him begin his offseason.
Predictions
- Warriors win by 12
- Warriors do not make the playoffs by winning this game