Golden State Warriors vs. the Northwestern Division: Predictions

April 11, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder small forward Kevin Durant (35) shoots against the Golden State Warriors during the second quarter at Oracle Arena. The City Thunder defeated the Warriors 116-97. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

In the coming year, the Golden State Warriors will face off against opponents from the Pacific Division’s northern counterpart, the Northwest Division.  That division contains the Minnesota Timberwolves, Portland Trailblazers, Utah Jazz, Denver Nuggets, and Oklahoma City Thunder.  Of those teams, two made playoffs: the Nuggets and the Thunder, the former having been eliminated by the Warriors in the first round.  On the other hand, the other teams aren’t without their threatening qualities.  Portland boasts a Rookie of the Year and top-talent point guard in Damian Lillard, as well as one of the three best power forwards in the league in LaMarcus Aldridge.  Minnesota has passing virtuoso Ricky Rubio running point and are about to get back their star forward Kevin Love.  Utah picked up a promising young guard in Trey Burke, but lost their down-low threat Al Jefferson to the Charlotte Bobcats (go figure).  They do also have a talented young shooting swingman, Gordon Hayward.

So, since the Warriors will see all of these teams three times in the coming season, how do they stack up against these opponents?  Let’s take a look at the teams and predict their head-to-head records