Counting W's for Week 18

By: Atma Brother #1 of Golden State of Mind

Warriors Weekly Rewind

• Game 53: Warriors 109, Jazz 119- The Warriors can beat any team in the league at any court on any given night- except for the Utah Jazz.
  
• Game 54: Warriors 119, Celtics 117- It's fun skipping to buzzer beaters!
  
• Game 55: Warriors 110, Hawks 117- Let's move on...
  

The Warriors home-friendly February wraps up with 2 very non-elite teams. A much more challenging March begins for the Warriors with a battle at the Roaracle against a squad that has pretty much had their way against them this season. With 10 of the league's top 12 team's residing West, every single game counts if the Bay is going to be believing this spring again.

Tuesday, February 26: Warriors vs Sonics
There isn't too much super about these Sonics. They're in full out rebuild mode and it shows in their win total. Any win this season only gets them further away from their goal of more lotto balls this May for the 2009 NBA Draft. They had the #2 and #5 (via trade) picks in last year's draft and they'll be in that same locality again this season.

It was easy last time and it should be easy this time. Don't get me wrong though. Your eyes should be glued to the TV set because of what's at stake. The Warriors can not lose this game under any circumstance. It's one of those games where the other team isn't going to beat them, only they can beat themselves into a bad loss.

Prediction: 1 more for the W column


Friday, February 29: Warriors vs 76ers
When sub-.500 teams from the East like the Sixers come to town it's very easy to overlook them and automatically count a W. However, that's a mistake. This isn't going to be a freebie like the Sonics' game. The Sixers have cranked out a pretty nice February so far going 7-4, including a 5 game winning streak in the middle of the month. They're far from being contenders in this league, but they aren't that far from being a mediocre Eastern Conference playoff team that can give you trouble if you're sleeping.

Pay close attention to Sixers foundation Andre Iguodala and Samuel Dalembert. AI version 2.0 is capable of filling up the stat sheet fast with points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. Throw in his D and you have a player who has the potential to reach Scottie Pippen heights some day in this league. Iggy is one of those players that would be a perfect fit for Nellieball, but a nightmare for the Warriors to match up to. Haitian big man Dalembert is a real deal rebound and blocks machine. With Andris Biedrins most likely out Dalembert could have his way against the Warriors getting putbacks and making it incredibly tough for the Warriors to score inside.

It took a big shot from Kelenna Azubuike in OT to get the win in Philly last time. Don't be too surprised if this game goes down to the wire again, especially without Biedrins to match up to Dalembert. Nellie and the gang know they have to get this win to wrap up a relatively cushiony February and I just don't see them losing their focus on this Friday night.

Prediction: 1 more for the W column


Sunday, March 2: Warriors vs Trailblazers
The Blazers have flat out owned the Warriors this season. They owned them in December, owned them in January, and unfairly owned their All-Star game spot. Thankfully the Blazers have all but dropped out of the Western Conference playoff bracket unless they catch fire, so the Warriors chances at the big dance won't come down to their head-to-head record against Portland's only pro team. But the Warriors need to stop the bleeding against the Blazers fast. Remember that Oden fella is coming next year and it's only going to get tougher to beat the Blazers.

Here's 3 things the Warriors must do to collect this W on a beautiful Sunday in the Bay:

• Show up at tipoff 6pm. The last time the Warriors faced the Blazers they were down 14-30 after the 1st quarter. It proved to be way too big of a hole for the Warriors to dig themselves out of.
  
• Guard the 3. In the second game especially, the Blazers were lights out from long distance hitting trey's at a 46.4% clip. The Warriors need to make their defensive rotations on the perimeter sharp and quick or else it's going to be a long night. Beware of sharpshooter James Jones if he's healthy enough to play.
  
• Take care of the rock. For some reason the Warriors came out pretty sloppy both times against the Blazers. They turned the ball over uncharacteristically 15 times in both games. It comes down to mental focus.
  

We Believe the Warriors will be focused for a nice W.

Prediction: 1 more for the W column


Overall Week 18 Prediction: 3-0


What are your predictions for week 17 for the Warriors?