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Golden State Warriors: 5 best wins that propelled defending champs to a top six seed

By Peter O'Keefe

CLEVELAND, OHIO - JANUARY 20: Kevon Looney #5 of the Golden State Warriors runs a play during the third quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on January 20, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Warriors defeated the Cavaliers 120-114. 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 the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - JANUARY 20: Kevon Looney #5 of the Golden State Warriors runs a play during the third quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on January 20, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Warriors defeated the Cavaliers 120-114. 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 the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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The Golden State Warriors had a raft of disappointing losses during the regular season, putting a playoff position in jeopardy before they eventually confirmed their spot in their final game against the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday.

However, while there were a number of unexpected defeats to lowly teams, the defending NBA champions also had a range of ‘against all odds’ victories that proved enough to secure a playoff berth without the need of the Play-In Tournament.

The Golden State Warriors had some significant wins during the regular season, ultimately propelling them to sixth-place in the Western Conference.

One win was all that separated the Warriors from the Play-In Tournament, with the seventh-placed Los Angeles Lakers holding the tiebreak over Golden State. Every win and loss ultimately means the same in the overall record, but there’s no doubt that some specific results can mean more than others.

The Golden State Warriors will meet the Sacramento Kings in the first-round of the 2023 NBA playoffs. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
The Golden State Warriors will meet the Sacramento Kings in the first-round of the 2023 NBA playoffs. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Let’s have a look at the five best wins of the Warriors’ season that aided in them securing a playoff spot:

5. v Los Angeles Clippers, March 2

Playing without Stephen Curry and Andrew Wiggins, Golden State looked outmatched against Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and a deep Clippers squad at Chase Center on March 2. That appeared to be the case when Los Angeles led 61-49 early in the third-quarter. What followed was one of the most electric bursts in the entire season, with the hosts going on a 38-8 run to turn a 12-point deficit into an 87-69 lead.

It was the kind of third-quarter run that’s become synonymous with the Warriors over the years, though it’s usually with Curry as the lead man running the show. They would outscore the Clippers 70-35 in the second-half, running away with a comfortable win led by Jordan Poole’s 34 points.

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