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NBA: 10 Thoughts As The Stretch Run Begins

By Evan Dyal

Feb 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) in action against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. The Golden State Warriors won 119-108. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) in action against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. The Golden State Warriors won 119-108. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 28, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) stands on the court against the Washington Wizards in the first quarter at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 28, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) stands on the court against the Washington Wizards in the first quarter at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

The Race For The No. 1 Seed Out West Will Go Down To The Wire 

In a loss at Washington last week, Kevin Durant suffered a grade 2 MCL sprain in his knee, putting him out for at least four weeks. There is a chance he comes back before the playoffs, but that is still up in the air.

The Dubs lost their first game without Durant at Chicago, and are now only 2.5 games ahead of the Spurs for the 1 seed. With Durant, the Warriors were on pace to win 65-70 games, if they played without Durant for the season they would win 55-60 games.

Looking at the schedule going forward, it’s not too bad for the Warriors, but it is slightly harder than the Spurs. The main reason for that is the Warriors, play the Spurs two more time, both in San Antonio. Kevin Durant is likely to miss both games. Even if the Spurs only win one of them, it gives them the tiebreaker.

That being said, I still think the Warriors hold on, but it will be close. The Splash Brothers will get out of their slump, and I like the addition of Matt Barnes. They also have some real cupcakes coming up on their schedule. The Spurs have a real chance though to get the 1 seed, and they smell blood, this will go down to the wire.

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