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Will the Golden State Warriors lose before the New Year?

By Rucker Haringey

November 20, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Andre Iguodala (9), guard Stephen Curry (30), and forward Harrison Barnes (40) celebrate during the fourth quarter against the Chicago Bulls at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Bulls 106-94. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
November 20, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Andre Iguodala (9), guard Stephen Curry (30), and forward Harrison Barnes (40) celebrate during the fourth quarter against the Chicago Bulls at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Bulls 106-94. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Golden State has reeled off 16 wins to start the NBA season. Which games could the Warriors lose before the New Year?

The Golden State Warriors have been red-hot to start the NBA season. Steph Curry would win the NBA’s MVP award unanimously if the season ended today and Draymond Green has more than justified his new, big money contract. Despite all that momentum the Warriors have to lose sometime. It’s fair to question whether or not Golden State is capable of carrying their undefeated streak all the way to Christmas. Let’s take a look at the four games they might lose

November 30th at Utah

Game 19 seems like the next time Golden State could run into trouble. The atmosphere in Utah will be crazy if the Warriors manage to roll into town undefeated and the Jazz present some interesting match-ups for the Dubs.

Utah could be one of the only teams that’s able to stay big no matter what small ball lineup the Warriors roll out there. Rudy Gobert can shut down any rim runs by his lonesome and Derrick Favors can punish Golden State’s undersized post defenders. The game will be a true contrast in styles and if Utah can dictate the game’s pace, they’ll have a chance to pull off the mammoth upset.

December 5th at Toronto

In a weird way, the Raptors are kind of like Golden State lite. They certainly don’t have the quality that the Warriors do up and down the lineup, but for one night they can be very competitive.

Kyle Lowry and DeMar Derozan could both get hot and cause the NBA’s best team a multitude of problems. Lowry can score against anyone and can put up fifty on the right night. Derozan can become unguardable with his length and can win the matchup against Klay Thompson.

Toronto’s crowd will be whipped into a frenzy if the Warriors come to town with an undefeated record. Maybe Drake will show up and make the game a dance party.

December 8th at Indiana

If the Raptors aren’t going to be enough trouble for the Warriors, the Pacers might do the job a couple of nights later. Steph Curry is the league’s best player, but Pacers’ Paul George isn’t too far behind.

George is one of the NBA’s most unique defenders and can be deployed against anyone in Golden State’s small ball lineups. Indiana is one of the few teams that can switch any screen on the court against Golden State’s best lineups.

Offensively, they’ll need an exceptional night from PG13. Don’t discount the possibility that Monta Ellis could pop up to terrorize his former team as well. He was run out of Golden State rather unceremoniously back in 2011 and might be out for revenge. He’s the type of talent who could use that desire for revenge to shoot his team in or out of the game.

December 25th versus Cleveland

Golden State is nearly invincible at home, but they could be challenged on Christmas Day by LeBron James and the Cavaliers. You have to believe that James is taking note of how many people believe he’s lost the best player in the league mantle to Curry. It’s easy to see why he might try to remind people how special he is on the game’s big stage.

The rest of the Cavs have some motivation to hammer the Warriors on Christmas Day as well. In case you forgot, they lost the NBA Finals to them last season. The Cavs could use their size and talent on the offensive glass to keep the game close. Then LeBron could take over the game for a final quarter or so to edge the Warriors. Remember, they’d just have to win one game, not an entire series.

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