With the aim of striking while the iron is hot, the Golden State Warriors will do everything possible to squeeze another championship out of its winning roster. If they can get it done, the Warriors would become one of the rare birds of the NBA: a three-peat championship team.
Even more, to win the title this year would put Golden State at four championships in five seasons (with some maintaining that the LeBron James-led Cleveland Cavaliers were gifted with the 2016 title due to Draymond Green’s suspension during the series).
But the 2018-19 season has not been smooth for Golden State, with injuries, locker-room strife and complacency all playing parts in the team’s bumpy season. To get back to the confetti, champagne, trophy and bling, the Warriors must hunker down to finish the season strong — they have 12 games left.
A look at the late-season schedules of three-peat champions of the NBA’s modern era could provide some insight into the Warriors’ ability to accomplish the same feat.
Here’s how the 2019 Golden State Warriors compare to where the 1998 Chicago Bulls and 2002 Los Angeles Lakers were with 12 games left in their regular seasons before winning their third straight NBA championships.
1998 Chicago Bulls
Coach: Phil Jackson
Notable players: Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Steve Kerr, Dennis Rodman, Ron Harper
Regular-season record: 62-20
Record in final 12 games of the 1997-98 regular season: 9-3
The ’98 Bulls suffered back-to-back losses in games 79 and 80 before winning the final two contests of the regular season. Six of Chicago’s wins were on the road and one was a back-to-back, which resulted in the Bulls’ final two regular-season wins.
The Bulls won it all for the third straight year behind the following NBA Playoffs record:
Bulls in the 1998 NBA Playoffs
Round 1: 3-0 sweep over the New Jersey Nets
Eastern Conference Semifinals: 4-1 win over the Charlotte Hornets
Eastern Conference Finals: 4-3 win over the Indiana Pacers
NBA Finals: 4-2 win over the Utah Jazz
A common factor between the 1998 Chicago Bulls and the 2002 Los Angeles Lakers is Phil Jackson, who coached both franchises to multiple championships including three-peat wins.
2002 Los Angeles Lakers
Coach: Phil Jackson
Notable players: Kobe Bryant, Derek Fisher, Rick Fox, Robert Horry, Shaquille O’Neal
Regular-season record: 58-24
Record in final 12 games of the 2001-02 regular season: 8-4
The 2002 Lakers’ 80th game foreshadowed the team’s willingness to fight tooth-and-nail for another championship. Although the game ended in a loss, the Lakers battled through double overtime, showing the kind of grit that wins championships. The team bounced back in its final two regular-season games, winning both.
Of the Lakers’ last 12 games in the 2002 regular season, six were played on the road and the team had two sets of back-to-backs.
The Lakers won it all for the third straight year behind the following NBA Playoffs record:
Lakers in the 2002 NBA Playoffs
Round 1: 3-0 sweep over the Portland Trail Blazers
Western Conference Semifinals: 4-1 win over the San Antonio Spurs
Western Conference Finals: 4-3 win over the Sacramento Kings
NBA Finals: 4-0 sweep of the New Jersey Nets
So, where do the 2019 Warriors stand now, and how much ground do they have to make up in the final 12 games to give themselves a chance to end the regular season on a high note with three-peat possibilities?
A look at the remaining schedule provides some clues:
The Warriors’ season is still in progress, but they would need 10 wins to equal the Lakers’ 2002 regular-season record. Here’s a look at where Golden State stands now and whether its remaining game slate could present obstacles to its ability to finish the regular season with at least 58 wins.
2019 Golden State Warriors
Coach: Steve Kerr
Notable players: Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Kevin Durant, Draymond Green, DeMarcus Cousins
Regular-season record (through 70 games): 48-22
Remaining 12 games of the 2018-19 regular season:
Thurs. 3/21 vs. Pacers: Currently fourth in the Eastern Conference and on an 0-3 slide on the road, Indiana will be desperate to get a win at Oracle Arena to prevent an 0-4 road trip. Given the Warriors’ struggles to win at Oracle this season, a Warriors’ loss is not out of the question, though unlikely.
Prediction: Warriors win
Sat. 3/23 vs. Mavericks: Dallas has already been mathematically eliminated from the playoffs. If the Warriors can’t get a win over the 28-43 Mavs, the Golden State front office should enter emergency mode and take whatever actions it deems necessary.
Prediction: Warriors win
Sun. 3/24 vs. Pistons: Sixth in the Eastern Conference, the Warriors should consider Detroit a threat to pull off an upset in Oracle Arena. The good news, however, is that Warriors superstar Stephen Curry plays best on Sundays. But with this game being on the team’s home floor, where they’ve grown complacent at times — and it being the second game in a back-to-back — anything can happen.
Prediction: Warriors win
Wed. 3/27 at Grizzlies: With Memphis eliminated from the playoffs and having little to gain, the Grizzlies will be unlikely to bring much effort.
Prediction: Warriors win
3/29 at Timberwolves: Just two spots out of playoff contention, if Minnesota hasn’t given up mentally, they could pull off an upset — albeit, unlikely. The Warriors have a 3-0 lead in the series and should get the sweep.
Prediction: Warriors win
Sun. 3/31 vs. Hornets: Charlotte is four games out of the Eastern Conference, but still in position to make it in if they win and other teams lose. This one may not be a cake walk for Golden State, however, and it is even a game the team could lose.
Prediction: Warriors win
Tues. 4/2 vs. Nuggets: At just a half-game behind the Warriors for the top spot in the West and everything to gain, Utah will try to even the series season, 2-2, and prepare for its playoff run. Golden State won big over the Nuggets in the teams’ prior meetings, while Utah eked out one close win in the series. It may be close again, but the Nuggets won’t let it end up in a loss.
Prediction: Warriors lose
Thurs. 4/4 at Lakers: Though not mathematically eliminated (yet), Los Angeles is 11 games behind the eighth playoff spot in the West. With the a few Lakers player done for the season with injuries (Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram), and others being nursed and rested to prevent injuries for the next season (LeBron James), the Warriors should roll in Hollywood.
Prediction: Warriors win
Fri. 5/5 vs. Cavaliers: Next-to-last in the Eastern Conference, lowly Cleveland doesn’t have a chance against a Warriors team looking to exit the regular season on a high note.
Prediction: Warriors win
Sun. 4/7 vs. Clippers: Seventh in the Western Conference behind three other teams with 42-30 records, Los Angeles cannot take anything for granted. The Warriors lead the season series, 2-1, but the Clippers will look to cancel any Warriors’ advantage by getting the 2-2 split.
Prediction: Warriors lose
Tues. 4/9 vs. Pelicans: Eliminated from the playoffs, resting players to protect personnel for future seasons and discord between the New Orleans front office and its star, Anthony Davis, the Pelicans will meet their obligation to the league by showing up but should not present a challenge.
Prediction: Warriors win
Wed. 4/10 at Grizzlies: See above (3/27).
Prediction: Warriors win
Warriors in the 2019 NBA Playoffs?
This is yet to be determined. But if the Warriors can complete the season with a 10-2 record or better, they will start the playoffs with a record matching the 2002 Lakers. But the Western Conference of today is much more competitive than in the Shaq and Kobe era Lakers. Still, positioning themselves as No. 1 in the West will pay dividends in a long playoff run that undoubtedly will be characterized by teams nipping at the heels of a Golden State Warriors team that just a few years ago was considered an otherworldly phenomenon.
