Teams that can rival the Warriors’ dominance in the playoffs

While the Golden State Warriors’ current 3-0 playoffs record would in previous years be a sure sign of the team’s shoo-in stint in the NBA Finals, it’s not the case in 2018. More than anything, many NBA experts just see this as proof that the Warriors got lucky in matching up with the Spurs in the first round. Below are the real threats. 

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New Orleans Pelicans 

This is almost a guaranteed matchup in the second round, as both the Warriors and the Pelicans are now just one game away from sweeping their respective opponents. When they do meet, Golden State will get homecourt advantage, but the team shouldn’t take the Anthony Davis-led team for granted one bit, as it’s poised to upset the third-seeded Blazers who had their own homecourt advantage mocked by the Pelicans. 

Houston Rockets 

The team with the highest win-loss record in the league this year will not only have homecourt advantage if it meets Golden State; the Rockets also has a system that’s very similar to the Warriors plus the season’s likely MVP James Harden leading the charge. Defense will play a crucial role in this matchup, as everyone is expecting threes to rain throughout the series.

Philadelphia 76ers 

You read it right: not the Cavs, but the rising Philly Sixers. If there’s a year that should break Lebron’s streak of finals appearances, it’s 2018. Cleveland has almost no concept of defense and, while inexperienced, Philly might just be able to make it through. It certainly has the superstars in Embiid and rookie Simmons to take the team to the next level. If this matchup happens, the Warriors must contain the Sixers’ towering front line. 

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