After Chicago and San Antonio two weeks ago, it was New York and Indiana who came to win at the Chase Center this week. The Warriors only had six home games in March, losing four of them.
Four defeats which destroy their hopes of grabbing 7th or 8th places, which offer two chances to validate their ticket for the playoffs. But can they do better than the Lakers to finish 9th or better than the Rockets, 11th, who have just had seven wins in a row and are moving into this 10th place?
“There is no need to lower our ambitions. We know who we are and we have to keep holding on.”explained a frustrated Steve Kerr to us after the match against the Pacers. “We are obviously disappointed. We wanted to win all three of our home games this week, we only took one and that puts us in a difficult position but we can't give up. »
If Steve Kerr must be positive and look forward to keep his players focused, the coming days may still redistribute the cards for access to the “play-in”.
A complicated “road trip” for the Warriors
The Warriors are indeed flying tomorrow for a five-game road trip, which begins with three complicated trips to Minnesota, then to Orlando and Miami on a “back-to-back” basis. If they lose these three games, against three opponents who must win to maintain their place in the standings, they will wake up next Thursday with a record of 36 wins for 37 losses, with 11 games still to play.
At the same time, Houston receives Utah and Portland, and travels to Oklahoma City. Logic would dictate that they win the first two games, before losing against the Thunder, to give them a record of 36 victories and as many defeats, and take back tenth place from the Warriors.
Obviously, Stephen Curry's teammates are performing much better on the outside this season and anything is possible but the Warriors only have 13 games left to continue a season that just needs to stop.
” We do not have a choice, “ observed Chris Paul in the context of this end of season. “We have to fight, we have to be more consistent, and we have to progress while winning. From now on, every day is a battle to give yourself a chance to play in the playoffs. »
Comments collected in San Francisco.
