After 56 games, the Golden State Warriors are 51-6 and on the cusp of a long-standing NBA record this season. In 1996, the Chicago Bulls – led by the legendary Michael Jordan – went 72-10. We’re now over halfway through the current campaign and the Warriors are well on the to eclipsing that 20-year record. But will they retain their NBA title? Well, only time will tell but it’s very difficult to imagine Golden State losing to anybody right now. We take a look at their chances of winning back-to-back NBA Championships this year and give our thoughts on their nearest rivals.
After their most recent victory over the Phoenix Suns, 32Red Canada are offering 23/20 on Golden State to go all the way and defend their NBA title this year. By all extents and purposes, the Warriors are the best team in the NBA and should find it relatively straightforward. With MVP Stephen Curry in the side, Golden State are almost blowing teams away in the opening three quarters and Curry is spending the majority of the final period on the bench. After all, what’s the point risking an injury if the victory has already been wrapped up? Fortunately for Golden State, they’ve had this luxury throughout the majority of the campaign.
However, the Warriors are much more than just Stephen Curry and to even suggest they weren’t would be a total injustice to the rest of the roster. With veteran centre Andrew Bogut in the form of his life, Klay Thompson and Harrison Barnes in the side, the Golden State Warriors have the strongest and most complete roster in the NBA. They have the perfect mix of offensive weapons, defensive stoppers and bench scorers. Everyone knows their job and every single member of the Golden State roster is willing to put their body on the line for the franchise as they hunt one of the best seasons of all-time.
Realistically, there are only two teams that can challenge Golden State’s dominance this year: the San Antonio Spurs and the Cleveland Cavaliers. For the romantics out there, a San Antonio victory would be the perfect ending to a fantastically-entertaining NBA season. Both Gregg Popovich and Tim Duncan are coming to the end of their respective managerial and playing careers and it would be phenomenal for the neutrals if San Antonio could topple the Warriors in the postseason. Let’s face it, both teams will be involved in the playoffs and it’s likely that the two will meet in the Western Conference round.
The Spurs aren’t a bad side, in fact they are currently 45-8 on the season and both Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge are playing superbly well. Worryingly, they were thrashed 120-90 by Golden State Warriors earlier in the season but Popovich’s men have what it takes to beat the defending champions in a seven-match series. Both San Antonio and Golden State are unbeaten at home this season – an impressive record. However, the Spurs may be the side to beat the Warriors in their own backyard and it’s likely that one postseason road victory might be enough given their incredible home form. With a few months until the regular season ends, there is still plenty of time for the pendulum to swing in San Antonio’s favour.
Meanwhile, the Cavaliers are also in with a genuine chance of spoiling Golden State’s party this season. With LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love in the side, Cleveland are more than capable of going all the way to the NBA title series this year. In fact, many are expecting the Cavs to represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals and who could blame them? They are by far the best team in that particular conference and both 32Red and NetBet price Cleveland at below evens to win the Eastern Conference.
At times, Cleveland can be very hit-and-miss though. The Cavs have a tendency to self-implode, especially when their three main men aren’t firing on all cylinders. When Love, Irving and James are on-song, they’re arguably the best in the business and Cleveland fans will pray that all three perform at their very best should they advance to the NBA Finals. From there, who knows – the Cavaliers could win their first ever NBA Championship.
On current form though, it’s hard to back anybody other than Golden State. Stephen Curry is in fine form and is likely to win the MVP regular season award for the second year running. And if Curry maintains his form throughout the playoffs, it’s hard to see anyone beating the Warriors to a second successive NBA title.