On Wednesday, just a mere two weeks before tip-off of the first game of the season’s second half, the NBA released the remaining schedule for the 2020-21 season. Usually, the NBA plans its seasons all in one piece, but they smartly planned in halves this time around, accounting for missed games, health-and-safety protocols, postponements, etc., due to COVID-19.

For many teams, the second half of the season will be a wild one filled with many long road trips and back-to-backs because of missed games due to the previously-mentioned COVID criteria. However, a slightly more fortunate hand has been dealt to the Dubs despite a tough beginning.

After the All-Star break, the Warriors’ playoff push officially begins, and it doesn’t start off easy. The first 3 of the remaining 36 games for Golden State are against the Clippers, Jazz and Lakers, which currently have the best records in the NBA. However, things balance out a bit and lighten up considerably (and fortunately) for the Dubs at the end of the regular season.

The last 6 games could drastically determine Golden State’s playoff seeding, and they thankfully come against OKC, Utah, Phoenix, New Orleans and Memphis in the longest homestand to close a season in franchise history. This is a fortunate draw for the Dubs because of the projected seeding of these remaining teams. It's safe to assume that OKC could be in tank-mode and Utah will be looking to rest their players as they head into the playoffs, so the only real challenges would be against the three remaining teams. New Orleans and Memphis will likely be fighting for playoff spots and coming off lots of back-to-backs and schedule compressions due to previous postponements, so the stakes will be high but the likelihood of Warriors wins will be higher. Phoenix poses a threat, though, as they should be fighting to stay in the top half of the standings.

The Warriors are currently 18-15 and hold sole possession of the 7th seed in the West. The Western Conference playoff race offers little to no wiggle room, though, as Golden State is only 3.5 games above the 11th-seeded Pelicans and 3.5 games behind the 4th-seeded Suns. Due to the shortened season, every game is much more meaningful, but they become increasingly so after the All-Star Break.

Assuming they stay healthy and avoid COVID-related protocols and postponements, the Dubs have enough of an identity, talent and opportunities to avoid the play-in, lock in a playoff spot and instantly become a team that no upper-seeded playoff team will want to face.