With 10 wins in 11 games, the Warriors have undergone a complete transformation and soared to the sixth place in the Western Conference! With only 19 regular - season games left, where is the ceiling for the Warriors? Three key games are identified to determine the quality and ceiling of the Warriors.
Since Butler joined the team, the Warriors have changed dramatically. In the past 11 games that Butler played, the Warriors achieved an impressive record of 10 wins and 1 loss. The team's ranking has risen from the 11th in the Western Conference to the 6th. With Butler as an additional ball - handler, Curry has been fully activated. His average stats have soared to 30.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 6 assists per game, with shooting percentages of 51%, 44% and 90% respectively, reaching the level of the '180 Club'. Moreover, after Butler's arrival, the Warriors completed two comebacks of over 20 points. Previously, when the team trailed by 20 points or more, their record was only 1 win and 10 losses.
So, where is the ceiling for this Warriors team? Do they truly have the strength to compete for the championship? It is believed that among the last 19 games, 3 key match - ups will determine their ceiling.
First game: Against the Nuggets on March 18th. According to the current Western Conference rankings, the Nuggets are in the third place and the Warriors are in the sixth. The two teams are likely to meet in the first round of the playoffs. The Nuggets won their previous encounter. Among the remaining 19 games, the Warriors will play the Nuggets twice, and the closest one is on March 18th. If the Warriors lose this game, it will be difficult for them to build a psychological advantage when facing the Nuggets. With the Warriors in good form currently, they need to defeat opponents like the Nuggets to establish a psychological edge for potential playoff match - ups. Also, in terms of lineup configuration, facing the Nuggets is a test for the Warriors, who lack a top - tier center in the frontcourt. Especially, how to deal with Jokic, the top active - player in terms of on - court power, will be a huge challenge for the Warriors' small - ball lineup. It can also test whether Butler's joining has truly changed the Warriors' defensive system.
Second game: Against the Lakers on April 4th. Since the start of the season, the two teams have played against each other three times, and the Lakers have an absolute advantage with a 3 - 0 record. If the Warriors lose again on April 4th, they will be swept by the Lakers in the regular season. The Lakers are currently in the second place in the Western Conference, but they only lead the Nuggets by 0.5 game. They may drop to the third place in the second half of the season. So, the Warriors and the Lakers may meet in the first round of the playoffs, or even in the second round if not in the first. Additionally, the Lakers are also in good form, on an 8 - game winning streak. If the Warriors can defeat the Lakers, they will undoubtedly complete a thorough transformation.
Third game: Against the Rockets on April 7th. As old rivals, the Warriors and the Rockets will meet again at the end of the regular season. Currently, they are ranked fifth and sixth in the Western Conference respectively, with the Warriors trailing the Rockets by 3 games. Considering that the Rockets have only won 6 out of 17 games recently, while the Warriors have won 10 out of 11 games with Butler playing, if the Rockets can't turn the situation around quickly, they may be overtaken by the Warriors. The last showdown at the end of the season will naturally be a key game to determine the final rankings of the two teams. Moreover, since the two teams may also meet in the playoffs, the significance of this game is self - evident.
