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Golden State Warriors and Denver Nuggets in battle for the 1-Seed

By Tony Pesta

OAKLAND, CA - MARCH 8: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets and DeMarcus Cousins #0 of the Golden State Warriors look on during the game on March 8, 2019 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - MARCH 8: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets and DeMarcus Cousins #0 of the Golden State Warriors look on during the game on March 8, 2019 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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With only six games remaining in the 2018-19 NBA season, the Golden State Warriors are tied with the Denver Nuggets for the 1-Seed in the Western Conference.

In shocking fashion, the race for the 1-Seed in the Western Conference is as close as it’s ever been. Despite being heavy favorites to start the season, the Golden State Warriors are tied with the Denver Nuggets at 54 wins apiece. The next few games will decide who will be crowned as the top seed in the NBA playoffs.

For the Warriors, this is the closest a race has been for them since they began their reign in 2015. The San Antonio Spurs finished just six games below the Warriors in 2016 and 2017 while the Houston Rockets actually toppled the Dubs in 2018 by winning seven more games.

In spite of all of this, the Warriors have won the Western Conference Finals in four consecutive seasons. But, with the team looking more vulnerable than ever, it might be important for them to capture the 1-seed and secure homecourt advantage.

The Warriors will play only two playoff contending teams over the course of their last six games. One of which is the Nuggets. This game will be huge for both teams as a win over their opponent could solidify their spot as the top seed.

However, the Nuggets have a much tougher schedule than the Dubs. In addition to the Warriors, the Nuggets will face off against playoff contending teams in four of their last five games. This will be a challenge for Denver as they attempt to keep pace with the Dubs.

In the end, the homecourt advantage might not make a difference. Denver likely won’t beat the Dubs in a playoff series anyway and no other team is close enough in the West to pass the Warriors before the end of the season.

On top of this, there are multiple teams in the Eastern Conference with better records than the Warriors. So, even if they capture the 1-Seed in the West they still might not have homecourt advantage in the NBA Finals. The Warriors are better off getting some rest and being healthy for the postseason.

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