Fans in the Bay Area should have their eyes on the NBA standings this season, as they get the Warriors begin their season against their interstate rivals in the Los Angeles Lakers.
Golden State Warriors Game 1 Matchup Preview
Great Battles Over the Last Decade
LeBron James and Stephen Curry have had some great battles over the course of the last decade, as they met in the Finals for four consecutive years.
Curry got the better of him in three of them, as he had the luxury of having Kevin Durant as his teammate for two of those rings.
But now, the Warriors are looking to build off their championship success last season and keep those good habits in place, whereas the Lakers are just hoping that something ends up clicking with them after such a miserable season.
Pay Attention to NBA Odds
If Laker fans have to endure another painful season, then they may start paying more attention to NBA odds just to get their minds off that madness.
This will also be ring night for Golden State, so the Warriors’ odds to win this game as is are looking great unless LeBron decides that he wants to spoil the fun.
2022 Golden State Warriors Schedule
The Warriors begin their season facing off against:
- Los Angeles Lakers
- Denver Nuggets
- Sacramento Kings
- Phoenix Suns
- Miami Heat (twice)
- Charlotte Hornets
- Detroit Pistons
- Orlando Magic
- New Orleans Pelicans
The Warriors are notorious for getting off to fast starts, as last season, they began the season with an 18-2 record.
The easy start to their schedule should give them the ability to do just that again unless they have a terrible championship hangover and don’t take the games seriously.
Golden State Warriors Season Props
The over/under win total for the Warriors is sitting at 51.5 wins. That appears just right, as the Warriors do have a tendency to undergo long cold spells, especially with:
- Stephen Curry
- Draymond Green
- Klay Thompson
All are expected to miss time with injuries at some point during the season.
League Leaders in Point
Curry should continue to be among the league leaders in points per game and 3-point makes, as he’s just so deadly the minute he crosses the half-court line. Nobody in the history of the NBA has ever been guarded like he has at the half-court line.
Thompson’s First Season After Injuries
This will be Thompson’s first season at full health in four years, as he’s missed significant time with ACL and Achilles injuries.
There were times when Thompson looked hobbled by both injuries last season, but with the extended run he got in the playoffs last season and a training camp under his belt, he should be able to get back to full strength and put up good numbers in points and 3-pointers.
Expectations for Warriors Players
Green should continue to be a stat sheet stuffer in the points, rebounds and assist categories.
Andrew Wiggins could see his scoring numbers improve now that he’s in a comfortable situation, especially with the Warriors potentially needing more from him.
Jordan Poole could also see a healthy increase in his points and assists numbers as well. All in all, the stats on the Warriors should look a heck of a lot better than NBA stats.
Golden State Warriors 2022 Season Odds
For the Warriors, a lot of their success will hinge on whether or not they can stay healthy. Otherwise, the talent and chemistry of this group should never be in question. A team doesn’t just wake up and win four championships in less than a decade.
Warriors 2022 NBA Title Odds
The Warriors odds to win a second championship are very high, as they’re in the top five in the conversation.
They will have to deal with early-season questions about Draymond Green punching Jordan Poole in the face, but the Warriors are a seasoned enough team where they can proceed without letting that become a distraction.
Warriors’ Individual Stats
This team will face bumps and bruises as they did at times last season, but they all have proven they get healthy at the right time, and when they are all out there on the court, the ball hops around the perimeter as they prioritize finding the open guy rather than their individual stats.
Stephen Curry is a bonafide leader who you can always count on to lead your team during the most hostile moments of the season.
He plays with such a cool, calm, and collective demeanor, which makes his 3-point bombs even more difficult to believe at times.
2022 NBA Finals
The emergence of Andrew Wiggins could prove to be pivotal for this group, as he was the sole reason why Jayson Tatum was able to get shut down during the 2022 NBA Finals.
The Warriors have the right mix of shooting, defense, and playmaking to be one of the more unbeatable teams in the league, so if you don’t bring your A-game, you’re going to get defeated in no time.
Golden State Warriors Playoff Odds
It’s pretty much a formality that the Warriors get into the playoffs again this upcoming season. It’s gotten to the point where it’s championship or bust with this team, as a playoff appearance is no longer good enough.
Golden State Warriors Pacific Division Odds
The Pacific Division is going to be a tough one this season, with:
- Warriors
- Los Angeles Lakers
- Los Angeles Clippers
- Phoenix Suns
All battling it out for the division crown. All are very capable of getting to the Finals in their own right, so this division will not be a given for any of these teams.
It will likely come down to the Warriors and Clippers, as both teams are top-heavy and deepest in not only their division or even conference but the entire league.
Golden State Warriors Western Conference Championship Odds
The Warriors have a great shot to get back to the NBA Finals, but they’ll have a tall task on their hands if they want to achieve that goal.
They’ll have to get past teams like:
- Memphis Grizzlies
- Dallas Mavericks
- Los Angeles Clippers
- Los Angeles Lakers
- Denver Nuggets
- Minnesota Timberwolves
- Phoenix Suns
- New Orleans Pelicans
To get out of the West, but make no mistake, the Warriors can easily take a 7-game series from any of those teams. They just have to want it more than their competition.
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