As we prepared for Game 2 of the playoff series between the Portland Trailblazers and the Golden State Warriors, everything was falling in place for the home team to take home a win away in Oracle Arena. With Kevin Durant, Shaun Livingston and Matt Barnes all sidelined with injuries, it’s was the best chance for the Blazers had at getting a win away from home.
Heading into the 2016-17 NBA season the Minnesota Timberwolves were predicted by experts across the league to make a big impact, and head to the post season on the back of their young roster. Unfortunately, things didn’t pan out exactly at they were supposed to. On Tuesday night as the Timberwolves walk onto the floor in Oracle Arena to take on the Golden State Warriors, their season is already dead in the water.
It might not have looked like much of a matchup on paper, but the Orlando Magic were walking into Oracle Arena and planning on taking home a win against the Golden State Warriors. After being involved in some questionable trades over the past 9 months, the recent acquisition of ex-Toronto Raptor Terrence Ross has given the Magic a much needed energy boost as the organization works to gain some momentum to finish the season.
Although the Boston Celtics and Golden State Warriors face off one a season on each others home floor, the Celtics had a really good track record going into Oracle Area before their matchup. Having walked away with an unexpected win last season, Boston once again upset the home team after running them off the floor in the fourth quarter.
Over the past few years the rivalry between the Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Clippers has reached fever pitch, however in their last few meetings the Dubs have taken care of the Clippers with ease.
One of the most highly anticipated regular season games this year was the return of the Cleveland Cavaliers to Oracle Area, where last time they faced the Golden State Warriors they left with an NBA Championship. Even though the stakes weren’t as high this time around, the fans and NBA audience were at fever pitch as the both teams walked on the floor.
As a injury riddled Detroit Pistons squad rolled into Oakland to take on the Golden State Warriors, they we’re set to put up a fight as they continued their battle for a playoff berth in the Eastern Conference. Although the Pistons didn’t get the result that they were looking for, there are a lot of positive signs for this young team, and the pieces that they have put together for the next few years.
After handling the Golden State Warriors on their home floor at the start of December, the Memphis Grizzlies were out to prove a point as they rolled into Oakland for their second matchup of the season. Battling to erase a 24 point third quarter deficit, the Grizzlies were once again able to push past the Warriors on the back of a huge game from Mike Conley, and some solid defense across the board.
So far this season the Portland Trailblazers have been struggling to live up to expectations, and heading into a tough matchup against the Golden State Warriors – without superstar Damian Lillard, the team struggled to find their rhythm and couldn’t match the Dubs pace.
The Utah Jazz are one of the most exciting teams to watch in the NBA’s Western Conference this season. This explosive young outfit are on track to be a part of the post season and Australian Joe Ingles is currently leading the league in 3 point shooting percentage. Facing the Golden State Warriors at home the Jazz were going to have their work cut out for them, and despite their best efforts they came up short with a tough loss.