In the last ten seasons, the Warriors have reached the 30 home victories for seven times. WhetherOracle Arena or at Chase Centerthere was a certain fear of opposing teams when they made the trip to the Bay of San Francisco. For two seasons, this has not been the case.
Obviously, the intrinsic level of the Warriors fell compared to the years when they were at the top of the NBA but even in 2023, when they finished sixth in the regular season, or in 2021, season truncated by the COVVI Over 70% of their home matches. For two seasons, their percentage of victories at home has only been 50%, with many heavy defeats.
A vicious or virtuous circle, with fans
It seems too simple to point the finger at the difference in atmosphere between the Oracle Arena and the Chase Center because in recent years in Oakland, the atmosphere was already less hot in the regular season. Fans of the Chase Center, however, proved in 2022, the year of the last Warriors title, which they could compete with the big hours of the Oracle.
It should also be noted that if the players feed on the atmosphere of the room, fans also feed on the energy of the field to get excited. This is the story of the egg and the hen, but no matter the reasons, this mediocrity at home leads the Warriors season for a second year in a row.
Fortunately for them, the conference classification remains condensed. Only five defeats separate Denver, fourth, from San Antonio, twelfth. Golden State is therefore not dumped in the race for “play-in” or that at a direct accession to playoffs but on the 17 games played against their direct competitor (Nuggets, Lakers, Clippers, Wolves, Suns, Mavs, Kings , and Spurs), they won only five …
Too many meetings that count lost double
In addition, nine of these meetings played at the Chase Center, and the Warriors present a balance sheet of only three victories for six defeats. They failed again this weekend against the Lakers and will face the Suns at home next week hoping for another outcome.
“We are in a key period of our season,” Said Stephen Curry after the heavy defeat of his family against Boston last Monday. “When you start the season, you hope to be better at home than outside. Despite the absences, we will see how we can react to take advantage of the many games we have at the Chase Center before the end of the month. It doesn't matter who is on the field, the next two weeks can decide on the management of our season, we know it. »»
These matches count so to speak double because they can allow us to go back to the classification, while being crucial for possible “tiebreakers” at the end of the season in the event of equality in the classification. Last season, the Warriors finished 10th largely because of the many defeats in these face-to-face against direct competitors. And this season, they take the same path.
Interview in San Francisco.
