The Golden State Warriors have won an unbelievable 50 home games in a row dating back to last year and show no signs of slowing down. All of their losses have come on the road this season, yet they hold the best away record in the league at 29 and 6. They went six and one on an earlier road trip this season, their one loss being the one that put an end to their historic 24-0 start. This season has been nothing short of spectacular and opposing arenas are filled with more blue and yellow than ever before.
After a well-deserved homestand, the Dubs take their show on the road for the next few games. A back-to-back in Texas with playoff implications and then a quick turnaround for a game on Monday against the best young team in the league would be trouble an ordinary NBA team — something the Warriors aren’t. This team is on the verge of a back-to-back championship while setting the single season record for wins in a row.
Let’s take a closer look at the upcoming three game road trip.
Friday, March 18: Dallas Mavericks
Stephen Curry was unable to play in the December 30 battle in Dallas between the Warriors and Mavericks, resulting in a blowout in the home team’s favor. Klay Thompson and Draymond Green shot a combined 8-30 from the field to score 21 points. JJ Barea outscored the duo with 23 points in an easy route of the defending champions. Golden State shot 40 percent from the field and made only seven three-pointers compared to the Mavericks’ 14.
Curry will be playing in this game and he’ll see a familiar face on the other side, David Lee. The troubled veteran looks to have found a home in Dallas as Rick Carlisle has done a great job bringing the best out of players. Zaza Pachulia has lost minutes as a result and Dallas now elects to go small with Chandler Parsons at the four and playing Dirk Nowitzki as their center.
Dallas is currently the 8th seed in the Western Conference and could end up playing the Warriors in the first round for the first time since 2007 when the Dubs pulled off the greatest NBA upset of all-time. Obviously, the Warriors would avoid that happening as they are better than that Mavs team was. However, they can make the series longer than a team like Houston or Utah would due to their experience and coaching. This is a game the Warriors want to win to get into the minds of the opposition and show that they can win on their homecourt easily.
The Warriors need to take care of business early in this game, as a bigger task awaits them the next night.
Saturday, March 19: San Antonio Spurs
The Warriors haven’t won a regular season game in San Antonio since Dell Curry was in the league, Stephen Curry was just 8 years old, and Tim Duncan was drafted. Kawhi Leonard took over the game last season when it looked like the Warriors were finally over the hump. He ended up with a career high 7 steals and shut Curry down.
This season in Oakland, it was a different story. Golden State dominated from the get-go and the Spurs never really stood a chance. Prior to the game, they were 7-0 without Tim Duncan on the season. That record changed after the Dubs’ blowout win.
A win in San Antonio would be significant for a number of reasons.
It would end the Spurs home winning streak. They have an active streak as well and haven’t lost a home game this season at 33-0. They can surpass the Warriors if one is lost at Oracle. Golden State also needs to win to get into the Spurs’ heads. They already are in a way, after the blowout in the Bay Area. A win in San Antonio means the changing of an era, officially. It would give the Warriors even more confidence heading into the postseason, something that they’re not short of. Anything higher would make the playoffs a cake-walk.
The game is on Saturday night during prime-time. The last time the Warriors played in that time-slot, Stephen Curry took over Oklahoma City. A same outcome is possible in San Antonio.
Monday, March 21: Minnesota Timberwolves
Draymond Green gets to finish his stretch of Anthony Davis, Kristaps Porzingis, Dirk Nowitzki, and LaMarcus Aldridge with fresh breed Karl-Anthony Towns. Obstacle after obstacle, and Green has held his own in the first two games. Davis shot 6-20 while Porzingis went 1-11 from the field. Not bad for last year’s runner-up Defensive Player of the Year, eh?
Andrew Wiggins and Zach Lavine have taken over as the wings in Minnesota, while Ricky Rubio can hit a clutch shot here and there. Just ask the Thunder.
This can be a trap game. The Wolves are playing for pride at this point and looking to grow. After tough games in Texas with the Mavericks and Spurs, the Warriors could be tired for this one depending one how close the other ones will be. Wiggins is a tough guard due to his athleticism and scoring ability. Lavine has been a monster since taking over as the starting two-guard. Towns should win Rookie of the Year and will be a top five player in the league one day.
Golden State can’t take this young team lightly on their homecourt, or it could come back to haunt them. The quest for 73 isn’t easy — every team is looking to give you their best punch. If the Warriors could pull away these next few games, 73 would be an understatement for the best team ever.