Archive for the ‘ Preview ’ Category

0
29
Dec

Preview: Warriors at Hawks

Golden State
Warriors

@

Atlanta
Hawks

Philips Arena
4:00pm | CSNBA

Official Game Preview

2010-11 Meetings
December 29, 2010 • Recap
Warriors 93
Hawks 103
 
February 25, 2011 • Recap
Hawks 95
Warriors 79
 

The Warriors start their 5-game road trip in Atlanta in just a few minutes. The Hawks haven’t exactly turned into the elite Eastern Conference team they were threatening to be a few years ago, but they’re still rolling at 20-13 so far this year — including 9 in a row at home — so it would make for a great start to the trip if the Warriors can keep up their recent run and extend their winning streak to 4 games. I think that will take another strong shooting night and a merciful end to the terrible turnovers that have marred even their recent wins, so let’s see what happens. At the very least, let’s hope they keep it close to avoid a big stinker to set the wrong tone for the trip.

2
27
Dec

Preview: Sixers at Warriors

Philadelphia
76ers

@

Golden State
Warriors

Oracle Arena
7:30pm | CSNBA

Official Game Preview

2010-11 Meetings
December 27, 2010 • Recap
76ers 95
Warriors 110
 
March 6, 2011 • Recap
Warriors 117
76ers 125
 

The Warriors go for three in a row against a very beatable 76ers team tonight, and it’s a win they need before they head out on the road for a fairly tough 5-game trip. What to watch for tonight. Here’s to a better shooting night from Curry (and that he at least outplays Holliday), some rebounds for Udoh, no pangs of regret from not signing Elton Brand after Baron fled, and a first chance to see Evan Turner play.

1
25
Dec

Preview: Trail Blazers at Warriors

Portland
Trailblazers

@

Golden State
Warriors

Oracle Arena
7:30pm | CSNBA/ESPN

Official Game Preview

2010-11 Meetings
December 18, 2010 • Recap
Warriors 95
Trailblazers 96
 
December 25, 2010 • Recap
Trailblazers 102
Warriors 109
 
April 5, 2011 • Recap
Warriors 108
Trailblazers 87
 
April 13, 2011 • Recap
Trailblazers 86
Warriors 110
 

Out most of the day so no time for a proper preview, but will be looking forward to this game later tonight. The Warriors face a Blazers team that they *almost* beat a few games ago, so we’ll see if home court makes the difference tonight. Curry and Brandan Wright are expected back, and with the Blazers still missing Roy the injury excuse is definitely out the window.

And for the Fitz haters, a Christmas miracle: a chance to listen to a national broadcast team that won’t just marvel at marvelous outside shooting by the Blazers, but will point out the defensive culpability as well…

0
21
Dec

Preview: Warriors at Kings

Golden State
Warriors

@

Sacramento
Kings

Arco Arena
7:00pm | CSNBA

Official Game Preview

2010-11 Meetings
December 21, 2010 • Recap
Warriors 117
Kings 109
 
January 21, 2011 • Recap
Kings 112
Warriors 119
 
March 14, 2011 • Recap
Warriors 119
Kings 129
 
April 10, 2011 • Recap
Kings 104
Warriors 103
 

A battle of shitty teams tonight, as the Warriors make the bus ride to Sacramento in search of a desperately needed win. Aside from looking for a W, the main thing I’ll be watching for is pick #5 (Cousins) vs. pick #6 (Udoh). Can the Warriors latest FUTURE HOPE make it two solid outings in a row?

16
20
Dec

Preview: Rockets at Warriors

Houston
Rockets

@

Golden State
Warriors

Oracle Arena
7:30pm | CSNBA

Official Game Preview

2010-11 Meetings
October 27, 2010 • Recap
Rockets 128
Warriors 132
 
November 24, 2010 • Recap
Warriors 101
Rockets 111
 
December 20, 2010 • Recap
Rockets 121
Warriors 112
 
March 23, 2011 • Recap
Warriors 112
Rockets 131
 

The Warriors return home to face a surging Rockets team — a team that, like the Trail Blazers, is finding a way to win even in the face of injuries. Imagine that! What to watch for tonight:

  • Comparison Time. Once again, we get the treat of watching the Most Annoying Player in the NBA™, Kevin Martin, a guy who plays like Monta but manages to draw about twice as many fouls (and converts much better once he gets to the line). I’ll be watching closely to see what the difference is in the two players’ styles — my guess is that Martin manages to draw fouls on the way past players whereas Monta has a habit of driving right into defenders, but it will be interesting to watch them side-by-side. (And don’t forget that in the last game against the Rockets, the Warriors were outshot from the line 51-18)
  • Inside Game. Yao is now officially out for the season, though he didn’t play in either of the previous matchups anyway. You’d think that the Warriors should be able to do some damage on the inside against the Rockets, but instead they’ve given up back-to-back career games to Chuck Hayes. Not sure if Biedrins will be back tonight, but given his previous performance against Hayes it might be nice to see what Amundson (or Udoh! Or Lee at the 5!) can do instead.
  • Score. I assume that Curry is still out (probably being saved for the Christmas Day prime time matchup), so once again a big question is whether or not the Warriors can score enough points to win. Monta had his season-high (on an efficient 18-24 from the field) in the opening night matchup, and now would be a great time for a repeat. Would also be nice if Reggie could rediscover his 3-point shooting stroke, and can Carney make it two good games in a row?
0
18
Dec

Preview: Warriors at Trail Blazers

Golden State
Warriors

@

Portland
Trailblazers

Rose Garden
7:00pm | CSNBA

Official Game Preview

2010-11 Meetings
December 18, 2010 • Recap
Warriors 95
Trailblazers 96
 
December 25, 2010 • Recap
Trailblazers 102
Warriors 109
 
April 5, 2011 • Recap
Warriors 108
Trailblazers 87
 
April 13, 2011 • Recap
Trailblazers 86
Warriors 110
 

The Warriors try to make it two in a row when the take on the Blazers in Portland. No Curry and no Biedrins tonight, so we should get an extended look at Udoh and maybe some Lee at center. The Blazers have their own injury problems, as Roy has been shut down for a few games and Oden is obviously out for the year. The Blazers have been scuffling so a win is there for the taking tonight — let’s see if the dubs can take advantage.

14
14
Dec

Preview: Timberwolves at Warriors

Minnesota
Timberwolves

@

Golden State
Warriors

Oracle Arena
7:30pm | CSNBA

Official Game Preview

2010-11 Meetings
November 27, 2010 • Recap
Warriors 104
Timberwolves 94
 
December 14, 2010 • Recap
Timberwolves 99
Warriors 108
 
February 27, 2011 • Recap
Warriors 123
Timberwolves 126
 
March 13, 2011 • Recap
Timberwolves 77
Warriors 100
 

Finally, a game that the Warriors should win. And boy do they need a W. Hell, I need a W to get us back to a nice blend of Christmas colors on the W/L ticks on the left instead of the solid red that has become the norm.

The Timberwolves are the last team that the Warriors beat. Let’s hope they’re similarly charitable tonight, or this season is going to start looking mighty long…

1
13
Dec

Preview: Warriors at Jazz

Golden State
Warriors

@

Utah
Jazz

Energy Solutions Arena
6:00pm | CSNBA

Official Game Preview

2010-11 Meetings
November 5, 2010 • Recap
Jazz 78
Warriors 85
 
December 13, 2010 • Recap
Warriors 95
Jazz 108
 
January 30, 2011 • Recap
Jazz 81
Warriors 96
 
February 16, 2011 • Recap
Warriors 107
Jazz 100
 

The Warriors try to repeat their best victory of the season so far. Unlikely, given that they’re playing a Jazz team that has been much hotter of late than when they played the first time, but THAT’S WHY THEY PLAY THE GAME.

4
10
Dec

Preview: Heat at Warriors

Miami
Heat

@

Golden State
Warriors

Oracle Arena
7:30pm | CSNBA/ESPN

Official Game Preview

2010-11 Meetings
December 10, 2010 • Recap
Heat 106
Warriors 84
 
January 1, 2011 • Recap
Warriors 107
Heat 114
 

Say what you will about the Warriors’ chances tonight, the game should at least be interesting! Not only is it the Quitness’ one visit to Oakland this year, and not only will the game be nationally televised on ESPN, but the Warriors welcome two new bodies in Acie Law and Ekpe Udoh.

Udoh is clearly the draw on that front — while the Kawakami’s of the world are trashing the Warriors for yet another PR campaign, from all accounts the guy has been a standout presence while he’s been out and is turning heads now that he’s been practicing again. Should at least be fun to see a guy step into the Anthony Randolph “huge upside” role for the team if he can leap and block as well as has been reported.

As for Acie Law? Eh. They obviously need another body in the back court, especially with Curry likely out with his ankle, but it’s not like he lit the world on fire during his first tour of duty with the Warriors. Still, with the big guys back Adrien became expendable, and despite all the hustle he brought to the team the dude just couldn’t score consistently. Given how hard he played I do hope he catches on with another team and is able to put a solid role-player career together.

So on to the game tonight — while a win is still unlikely, it should be fun to see the “super team” in action, and it would be great to at least get something to feel hopeful about again.

0
8
Dec

Preview: Warriors at Spurs

Golden State
Warriors

@

San Antonio
Spurs

AT&T Center
5:30pm | CSNBA

Official Game Preview

2010-11 Meetings
November 30, 2010 • Recap
Spurs 118
Warriors 98
 
December 8, 2010 • Recap
Warriors 94
Spurs 111
 
January 24, 2011 • Recap
Spurs 113
Warriors 102
 
March 21, 2011 • Recap
Warriors 96
Spurs 111
 

Tonight is perhaps the least likely opportunity for a win all year. Back half of a back-to-back, after the starters played heavy minutes, and against a team that absolutely destroyed the Warriors just a few weeks back in Oakland. I hope that the players will keep their heads high and put a strong effort in, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see them get lit up from the start. I’ll consider it a moral victory if the deficit is less than 10 at the end of any quarter in this game.