10 second-half games that could impact Dubs' playoffs hopes

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Avoiding the NBA play-in tournament is a goal for the Warriors, yet that’s the pace they’re on as they slide toward the end of the first half of the season.Help is on the way, but the Warriors will have to take advantage in ways they’ve often failed to do in the first two months of the season.The second half of the NBA schedule, released Wednesday, provides ample opportunity to make a push to snag a top-six seed. Golden State’s 35-game schedule includes 18 home games, the last six of which conclude the regular season at Chase Center.Here are the 10 games, all in the rugged Western Conference, most likely to impact the Warriors’ postseason status.

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1/9

Why? Two reasons. The first is that a victory gives the Warriors the season series. The second is that it’s the second-half opener, which could have all manner of psychological implications. It’s hard to do better in the regular season than a feel-good win after the break.

2/9

It’s the final meeting between the teams and it could present a chance to sweep the season series with the defending champs. The Warriors have beaten the Lakers once and there is a reasonable chance they can do it again in their penultimate game of the first half on Feb. 28.

3/9

It’s a back-to-back road set against a pesky team that will be fighting for a playoff berth. Winning both would assure head-to-head advantage. A split would give the Warriors a strong chance to win the season series. Getting swept would be disastrous.

4/9

It’s the first of two games against Denver in the second half. A loss would give the Nuggets the season series. A win would tie in the season series, setting up a clinching game 15 days later. Both teams desperately want to avoid the play-in tournament.

5/9

Dallas is yet another team fighting for a lower-tier playoff berth in the Western Conference. The teams split the first two games, with the Warriors losing a close one two nights after routing the Mavericks. The winner of this game takes the season series.

6/9

The Jazz have spent four weeks atop the Western Conference, and there is little reason to believe they can’t stay there. So, this is about big-game hunting at Chase Center. It’s a chance for the Warriors to prove they can beat an elite team late in the regular season.

7/9

Phoenix has created separation with No. 4 seed and should continue to improve. The season series could be at stake – if the Warriors pull off the upset on Mar. 4 – but this is more about avoiding the play-in scenario and generating momentum in the final week.

8/9

It’s the fifth of six straight home games to end the regular season. While the Pelicans currently sit 1.5 games out of the No. 10 spot, they seem to be improving. We expect them to stay in the play-in race, in which this game will have seeding implications for both teams.

9/9

It's the season finale, just as the NBA would like it, and it’s too much expect the Warriors to end the season with a sweep of a six-game homestand. Memphis should have more at stake, but it’s altogether likely that seedings in the West will go down to the wire.

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