Prediction/guess: Warriors’ winless-ness ends tomorrow vs. Detroit
This isn’t as big as their last Detroit game… That was March 5, when the Warriors were gasping, flailing, nine-games under .500 and ready to collapse.
They had to win that game, though it was on a back-to-back after the Warriors lost a brutal game to Washington on a terrible referees’ decision.
I couldn’t imagine them beating Detroit back then. Don Nelson couldn’t imagine them winning that game. It was over if they lost that game.
Yet the Warriors won it, 111-93, and that started all the craziness, the 16-5, the roar, the 9-1 final stretch, the playoff toppling of Dallas.
Tomorrow night’s game isn’t as big as that one, but it’s still fairly significant. Possibly another turning point.
If the Warriors lose, they’re 0-6, they have one more home game against the Clippers, and then they get Stephen Jackson back as they head out on a five-game eastern road trip.
Here’s why I think the Warriors beat the Pistons tomorrow, to end the losing streak:
* Detroit plays at Portland tonight, and if the Pistons starters get heavy minutes, that’s a brutal turn-around to Oracle tomorrow.
OK, the Pistons are 2-0 so far in BTBs this season, but a West Coast BTB is a lot harder than their opening Orlando/Miami BTB and a Chicago/home BTB a little later.
* The Warriors are extremely well rested–haven’t played since their nice home loss to Dallas on Thursday. I think Baron Davis took about three days off, which has to help his legs.
* Assuming everything isn’t falling apart, the Warriors are due for a few victories. That’s not exactly scientific analysis, but it’s amazing how much that reasoning works in the NBA over 82 games.
* I think the Warriors have their heads on straight after the Dallas game. I think they know they must get to 2-5 before SJax returns in order to feel like they have a clean run back to 43 or 44 wins and a playoff spot.
* The Warriors seem to match up well with Detroit. They won both meetings last season.
I can’t really explain it, except the Warriors haven’t lost much at home to Eastern Conference teams for a few years now, dating back to the Musselman years.
* This is the Pistons’ only BTB on their five-game West Coast trip, and they’ve already beaten Seattle to open it.
Even the best Eastern teams usually are fine with 2 or 3 wins on a five-gamer, and if they beat Portland, the Pistons might cruise through the Warriors game to save up energy for their final two.
* The last time I predicted a Warriors victory in the regular season, it was against Phoenix on March 29, and the Warriors won that game.
I’ll take another whack at it now: Warriors 108, Detroit 95.
Yell at me if I get it wrong. Please.
-yells at u-
Hope your right
Watched the Detroit-Portland game. The starters did play a lot and Chauncey is going to have a sore hip for sure. Warriors win!
It’s catchy, you got Adam singing the same tune…
WOW!!!
Kawakami did not hate on the East Bay!! Miraculous!! Now If you could just apply this same un-biased opinion to your Raiders posts, you might actually rebuild the reading base that has been driven away by the stench of your bias infected writing. At least I can read your Warriors post without throwing up in utter disgust. Good job SON!!
Do you realize the Sharks are the only Bay Area pro sports franchise that has won since 30-Sept. !!!!! and the Sharks are tearing it up aren’t they (9-7). dubs 0-5, 9ers 0-7 last 7 weeks, Ainters -
LONG DROUGHT!!!! hopefully it ends tonight!!!! Go DUBS
I’m pessimistic.
If Jackson was playing, they’d be 2-3 at worst right now. GS is a very emotional team, and Jackson controls those emotions.
I just don’t see them winning tomorrow, and I wish it wasn’t so. Jackson’s presence is absolutely essential for this team. That’s how little depth they have.
Up here in Sac, I’m getting tired of hearing how much better the Kings are than GS. It’s gettin’ old. The two wins they have are against Seattle and Minnesota, at home, and they barely won those. At some point, strength of schedule begins to play a role. At 0-5, people know GS has actually looked better than 2-5 Sac.
Living up here, I tell you, I am really looking forward to GS passing Sac in the standings, because the Kings are just awful.
Reggie Theus: Gametime; Deer: Headlights.
You’ll see.
This game will be decided in the first quarter. As always, if the Warriors run up 40+ points in the first, they take it all. If not, forget it.
What happened to this strategy anyway? That’s what got em into the playoffs last year. Run, guys. Don’t stop.