Who does Klay want to play in the first round?
In a little less than a month, Klay Thompson hopes to go to Los Angeles. Then, the Warriors could play a first-round playoff matchup against the Clippers.
“I would like to stay close to the Bay,” Thompson said. “L.A. would be nice because we don’t have to travel far.”
The Warriors (48-22) enter Thursday’s game against the Indiana Pacers (44-28) at Oracle Arena with a renewed purpose after usually feeling bored with the end of the regular season. They want to lock the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference. They want to leave fans with lasting memories during the last six regular-season home games at Oracle Arena before switching tenants at Chase Center next season.
Should they reach those goals, the Warriors could also accomplish something else. They arguably could ensure they start the NBA playoffs with a relatively easier path toward their quest to hoist another Larry O’brien trophy.
Yet, the Warriors insisted they are not thinking about which first-round opponents might be an easier draw.
“Even if there were, it wouldn’t matter,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “You just play. You can’t control anything. You look at the West [conference], it’s pretty much set who’s going to be in the top eight. Every team is playing well. So there’s no favorable matchups for anybody.” Fair point. The Warriors, which have a ½ game lead over the Denver Nuggets (47-22) for the No. 1 seed, are currently slated to play the Clippers (42-30) in the first round. But the Warriors’ first-round opponent could very easily be the Utah Jazz (41-29), Oklahoma City Thunder (42-29) or the San Antonio Spurs (42-29). All four of those teams have beaten the Warriors at least once this season. The Spurs beat the Warriors two out of three times, while the Warriors won two out of three against the Jazz, Clippers and Thunder. The Warriors will play the Clippers again on April 7 at Oracle Arena. higher seed – and slight favorite – against an SEC team with loads of experience. Feels like trouble. Pick: Florida No. 9 Baylor vs. No. 8 Syracuse The Syracuse zone is difficult for all first-time opponents, much less first-time opponents with mediocre coaches who underachieve in the NCAAS ... much less first-time opponents with mediocre coaches who underachieve in the NCAAS and enter the postseason on a four-game losing streak. The Bears haven’t won since Feb. 27, and the skid won’t end here. Pick: Syracuse. No. 12 Oregon vs. No. 5 Wisconsin Should be a grinder. The Badgers are Oregon’s equal defensively, if not better, which means a few well-timed baskets down the stretch could make all the difference. Wisconsin has the single best option on the court in center Ethan Happ, but the Ducks have more good options – and their athleticism should cause problems for Happ. Pick: Oregon.