Golden State Warriors 2012 Schedule: Predicting Win-Loss Through First 10 Games

When the NBA released the 2011-12 schedule Tuesday night, NBA executives may have been disappointed in the ratings for the release show on NBA TV.

Fan excitement is certainly back after the league's prolonged lockout, but forgive fans if their attention was diverted on Tuesday night.

After all when trade talks emerge with names like Dwight Howard or Chris Paul in the mix, it's understandable that fans paid this event little mind.

But for all of the fanfare surrounding the annual superstar trade rumors of today's NBA, be assured that the Golden State Warriors and new head coach Mark Jackson are looking no further than their December 25.

Even if their roster may change between now and then.

December 25: Golden State Warriors vs LA Clippers, ESPN

The night cap of the NBA's opening day five day slate, this game could be more about who is not on the floor than who is on it.

With both teams engrossed in trade talks for the two aforementioned superstars on the trading block, either roster could look vastly different on Christmas night.

But assuming that the rosters do not drastically change, I'll give the nod to the home team Warriors. Blake Griffin and Eric Gordon put on a show for the sleepless NBA crowd, but Mark Jackson wills his team to victory in front of the national spotlight.

Warriors 117, Clippers 111

December 26: Golden State Warriors vs Chicago Bulls

The first of the Warriors 19 back-to-back games on the schedule (which includes one back-to-back-to-back set with trips to Dallas, Houston and Minnesota in late April) welcomes the reigning MVP Derrick Rose and the Bulls to Oracle Arena.

The Bulls won a league-best 66 games a season ago and should have virtually the same roster intact when they open their season in Oakland.

Warriors fans hope that their club buys into the defensive teachings of Jackson. Bulls fans watched their players buy into second-year coach Tom Thibodeau's defensive philosophies en route to those 66 wins.

Bulls 107, Warriors 96

December 28: Golden State Warriors vs New York, NBATV

This will be the first chance for the Warriors to meet the Knicks talented duo of Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire.

And it just might give Mark Jackson second thoughts about taking over this defensively challenged squad.

Heck, there might be so many points scored in this game that Don Nelson considers coming out of retirement.

If Jackson can convince the Warriors to slow down the tempo and play half-court basketball, the Warriors could easily win this game. If it becomes a track meet, even the offensively gifted Warriors may struggle to score with the Knicks.

Jackson's defensive changes won't come overnight so I'll give this to New York.

Knicks 137, Warriors 124

December 31: Golden State Warriors vs Philadelphia 76ers

Save for a preseason trek to Sacramento, the Warriors will close out 2011 without ever leaving the Bay Area.

This is not a nationally broadcast game, but it should be. Two young teams on the NBA door step with playmakers in the back court and front court on both sides.

The matchups should be exciting across the board, but this game features two of the most dynamic young point guards in the game in Curry and Philadelphia's Jrue Holiday.

This game could become even more intriguing if the Warriors are able to pry away versatile stretch forward, and restricted free agent, Thaddeus Young away from Doug Collins' group.

And of course, insert the latest Monta Ellis for Andre Iguodala trade rumor to give the game any needed additional spice if you must.

Warriors 116, Sixers 113

January 2: Golden State Warriors @ Phoenix Suns

2012 brings the Warriors their first true visit away from home to meet Steve Nash (assuming he has not been dealt by this point) and the Suns.

This game used to be guaranteed to be exciting and was often the season's best chance at a combined 300 points in a game.

No longer the top two spots in scoring, the teams still rank in the top 10 in points scored (Phoenix was fourth and Golden State was seventh last season), but both feature front offices and coaching staffs moving away from the run-and-gun days of Nelson and former Suns, and current New York Knicks, coach Mike D'Antoni.

Despite the change in philosophies, you should still expect a lot of points as the team's rosters still feature mostly offensive options. Golden State has the edge in talent and that should be the difference.

Warriors 128, Suns 116

January 4: Golden State Warriors at San Antonio Spurs

The Spurs have historically owned the Warriors and last year was no different as San Antonio won all four games by a combined 63 points.

Then again, this is not the same the Spurs team that the Warriors have struggled against over the past decade and Tim Duncan is another year older.

Also, the Warriors may have a chance to catch the Spurs looking ahead to their matchup with the reigning champion Dallas Mavericks who visit the AT&T Center the following night.

The Warriors do not have the talent level or the team chemistry of the Spurs group that has logged so many games together, but I'm going to say the young legs of the Warriors catch the Spurs napping and earn their first marquee win of the season.

Warriors 119, Spurs 111

January 6: Golden State Warriors at Los Angeles Lakers

Take what the last slide said about the Spurs dominance over the Warriors and insert the Lakers for San Antonio. The length and defensive of the Lakers has given the Warriors fits and L.A. took three of four last season.

This game could potentially feature Chris Paul or Dwight Howard on either sideline (perhaps even both on the same sideline) but assuming it's the rosters as currently constructed, there's little to get excited about for this matchup.

If this gets out of hand early, and it certainly has the potential to, Jackson may be better off resting his games for his winnable contest back at home on the following night.

Lakers 116, Warriors 97

January 7: Golden State Warriors vs Utah Jazz

The Warriors return to the friendly confines of Oracle Arena and the beatable Utah Jazz are there to welcome them.

Should the Warriors avoid a physical beatdown from the Lakers, this game should be theirs for the taking.

Then again, Utah's frontline of Paul Millsap, Al Jefferson and Derrick Favors is dangerous to overlook and rookie Enes Kanter may emerge as their best post player.

But the talent level in this game clearly favors the Warriors. Between Curry and Ellis, the Warriors have the two most talented players in this matchup and should run away with this game.

If Mark Jackson can help Andris Biedrins rediscover his confidence or the Warriors can get contributions from Ekpe Udoh and rookie Jeremy Tyler, this could get ugly.

Warriors 107, Jazz 95

January 10: Golden State Warriors vs Miami Heat

When the Warriors took their talents to South Beach on January 1, 2011, the youthful team from Golden State pushed the league's latest Big Three farther than any analysts could have predicted.

The Warriors had more energy and more offense than LeBron James and company and pushed a first half lead to 20 points and carried an 18-point lead into halftime.

Dorell Wright exposed the Heat's lackadaisical defensive rotations to the tune of 30 points, but Erik Spoelstra rallied his club and his players responded in the second half en route to their 114-107 victory.

This time around might look more like the two teams' first meeting in Oakland last season when the Heat handed the Warriors a 106-84 defeat.

The Heat have the best perimeter defense in the NBA and have the size and strength to bother the Warriors' diminutive backcourt.

Heat 111, Warriors 102

January 12: Golden State Warriors vs Orlando Magic

This game marks the team's final game against Florida's NBA teams as one of the casualties of the 66-game season was the Warriors trek to the country's Southeast.

The Magic and Warriors split their season series last season with each club holding court in the process.

In the Magic's 110-90 victory on January 3, Dwight Howard exposed the Warriors interior to the tune of 22 points and 17 rebounds. But the Warriors held Howard to just 13 points (although Superman did pull down 21 rebounds) in their 123-120 win on March 11.

In other words, if Udoh, Tyler or Biedrins is up to the challenge of guarding Howard, the Warriors have a great chance to win this game.

If not, Jackson's best option may be to implement Hack-a-Howard early and often to have a puncher's chance.

Warriors 108, Magic 105