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The second half of the NBA schedule was released on Wednesday, removing some of the mystery associated with an unprecedented 2020-2021 season. The league wisely scheduled only the first half of games before the season, leaving room in the second half for catch-up games from COVID-related postponements, of which there have been plenty.
Due to the fact that some teams have to compose more games than others, there are some quirks in the second half schedule. The Los Angeles Clippers, for example, don’t have to leave Los Angeles from March 29 to April 13, as they play nine home games in 15 days. Another feature of the schedule that could prove to be pivotal in the Western Conference playoff race is the fact that the Golden State Warriors will play their last six games of the season at home, the longest homestand to close a season. in franchise history.
The Warriors entered Wednesday’s game against the Indiana Pacers in eighth place in the West, but the standings are absolutely packed. Golden State is just 1.5 games away from fifth place and just three games ahead of 11th place. It’s safe to say that the fate of the team in the playoffs, or at least their ranking, will be determined over these last six home games.
“It could be very beneficial. We’ll see how it all goes,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said of the six home games to end the regular season. “I hope we’re in a good position to be part of this family. But, a long way to go, so we’ll see.”
The Warriors face off against the West’s top three teams – the Clippers, Jazz and Lakers – to start their second-half schedule, but things get more seaworthy after that, ending with those six home games against the Thunder (twice ), Jazz, Suns, pelicans and grizzly bears. At this point, OKC could very well be in tank mode, the Jazz and Suns could rest players as the playoffs approach, and the Pelicans and Grizzlies could be Golden State’s main competition in the lower half of the game. image of the Western Conference playoffs.
The favorable schedule prepares the Warriors to return to the playoffs after missing the playoffs last year for the first time since 2012 with a rash of injuries, mostly to Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry. Of course, they have to get there first and stay healthy, but Warriors have to love their chances if they are on hand to enter that final abode.
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