Golden State at Atlanta

Golden State must keep winning. The crowded West is an extremely close race and the 9th team looking in at the playoffs will likely be there thanks to one win or loss. The Warriors currently hold the eigth spot but lead the Nuggets by just 1.5 games. Their opponent tonight are close to the eight spot in the east, despite having 11 fewer wins than Golden State. Go figure. You might ask yourself why a 36-22 team is getting points from a 25-33 team. Well, Atlanta has won 13 of their last 19 home games and stand at 18-11 at home on the season. But, let's not forget Golden State is a winning team, even on the road at 15-12. They average 107 per game away from home. The problem is that their defense gives up nearly as many. But Atlanta doesn't have an explosive offense and right now Golden State's offense is taking no prisoners. They have scored 100+ in 22 straight games. They scored 116+ in over half of those (12) and 119+ in nine of those games! Is that something that the Hawks can stop, or keep up with? No way. Against the elite in the West, brute offensive force won't work. But, against a weak Eastern Conference team, it will.