Will More Home Games Benefit the Golden State Warriors?

The Golden State Warriors' new nickname should be the Road Warriors.

The Warriors have played only 14 games at home this season after their latest loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. 

Considering the fact that the Warriors have, no doubt in my mind, the best fans in the NBA, to have the least amount of games at this point in time in the season is just ridiculous.

Another factor is the Warriors were also playing overseas before the season began as well. 

So, it's no surprise to see the Warriors struggling on the road. The Warriors have a record of 4-19 on the road and a 6-8 record at home. So, will the Warriors begin to play better with a majority of the games at home? 

The answer is yes. The Warriors feed off the fan energy in the Oracle Arena and the wins at home have come against some solid teams. So, far the Warriors have been able to beat Denver, Portland, and Boston. While the other wins were against struggling teams like Minnesota, Milwaukee, and Toronto. 

The Warriors' losses at home have more time than not have come against solid teams. New Orleans only beat them by five points, Detroit again only beat them by five, Miami by one, Houston by 11, Orlando by 11, the Lakers by eight. 

The Warriors have also lost at home to a couple of teams they should have beaten—for example, losing to Memphis and Chicago by five points each. 

So, as you can see, the Warriors tend to play a lot better at home and don't really get blown out in their own building like they do on the road. When Monta Ellis comes back and considering the Warriors have another 27 games to play at home including a 7-game homestand later on this month, their win totals could definitely be going up. 

Yes, some of the teams they are playing on the homestand are tough teams—but if the Warriors’ fans can get into the game, they could surprise some teams. Also, at the beginning of the homestand it will be the first time in almost a month the Warriors will be playing without having to travel. 

Before the homestand begins the Warriors will be heading to Portland. A team they could beat—especially with the absence of Brandon Roy who's out with an injury. This would improve the Warriors' record to 11-27.  

The Warriors then have their homestand, where they play Indiana, Sacramento, Atlanta, Washington, Oklahoma City, Cleveland, and the Los Angeles Clippers. It's entirely possible that the Warriors will go 5-2. With the wins coming against Indiana, Sacramento, Washington, Oklahoma City, and the Clippers. The losses of course to Atlanta and Cleveland. 

If the Warriors do go 5-2 on that homestand it improves their record to 16-29. Not really something to get excited about but it would put their home record above .500. They would be 11-10. 

After that homestand though the schedule doesn't get any easier on the road following the home games the Warriors will have to go play Dallas, New Orleans, Houston. Then return home to play San Antonio and Phoenix at home. In those five games the Warriors will probably not be able to squeeze a win out of except for possibly Dallas and Phoenix. If that happens the Warriors could be 18-32.

Although, that's being really optimistic—more than likely the Warriors will be 16-34 at that time. It's pathetic how a 48-win season from a year ago is all but a distant memory. 

After this point of the season, the Warriors then go play Phoenix, and then return home to play Utah, New York, Portland, Los Angeles Lakers, and Oklahoma City. With this homestand the Warriors could go 4-2 improving the Warriors record to 22-34.

Just as importantly though, with the rest from the All-Star break, the Warriors may surprise the Lakers like they did the Boston Celtics and pull the win out, meaning they would instead go 5-1. Their record would then go to 23-33. 

The Warriors then play the Clippers on the road, but only to return home to play Charlotte and Utah. Warriors could go 2-1 here with the loss being to Utah. Bringing the Warriors to a record of 25-34.

With the Warriors then going on the road to face Minnesota, Chicago, Detroit, and Milwaukee. Could be an interesting point to the season, but they could possibly go 3-1 here continuing to improve their record to 28-35. 

After that trip the Warriors return home to play New Jersey, Dallas, Phoenix, and Clippers. The Warriors could be gaining momentum from returning from a solid trip and could win all four games. Although, more than likely will go 2-2. 

If they did win all four games, this would push the Warriors' record to 32-35. Being the optimist I am, I know this is probably the most wins the Warriors could have this season being and losing 52 games, but heck if Ellis comes back strong and the Warriors get a lift from his return, anything can happen. 

You may call me an optimist but that's totally against my personality. I'm usually very pessimistic. 

The Warriors then go play the Lakers in Los Angeles and the next night return home to play Philadelphia. I look for the Warriors to go 1-1 in these two games pushing their record to 33-36. 

Following those two games, the Warriors then head to New Orleans, San Antonio, and Denver. This would mean the Warriors go 1-3 on this trip. Meaning the record for the Warriors falls to 34-39. 

Payback game at home against Memphis, then at home to take on Sacramento, and New Orleans. Warriors are going 2-1 and will move to 36-40.

With the games remaining the Warriors play in Sacramento, home against Minnesota, Houston, then away against Utah, back home to face San Antonio, and end the season playing Phoenix. The Warriors will end the season 3-3 meaning they could end up with a record of 39-43. 

What are the chances of me thinking this will actually happen?

Highly unlikely.

It would mean the Warriors would have to go 29-16 the rest of the way. Is that possible? What are the chances even with me being optimistic? It's about 99.99 percent chance that this will not happen.

In all seriousness though I do believe the Warriors will win more than 24 games which I've seen in articles is what the win total for the Warriors is projected out to. I believe they have a chance of anywhere between 28-32. That would mean for the Warriors to get to that point they need to go 18-27 for the 28 wins, 19-26 for the 29 wins, 20-25 for the 30 wins, 21-24 for 31 wins, and 22-23 for the 32 wins.