With the Western Conference standings as congested as possible, the Golden State Warriors entered the final week of the regular season knowing they needed to handle business. Specifically, they needed to win their three weekday games — against lottery-bound teams — to set up a Sunday showdown with the LA Clippers, which could have huge implications for the playoff seeds.
The first step was an emphatic success. The Golden State Warriors headed to the desert for their penultimate road game of the year. When the schedule was first set, an April game against the Phoenix Suns projected to be vital for both teams.