Golden State Warriors Clinch Playoff Berth, Focus on Earning Top Seed

During the Golden State Warriors‘ Monday matchup with one of their Pacific Division rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers, the Warriors received some exciting news. The Oklahoma City Thunder lost to the Dallas Mavericks 119-115 less than hour after the Warriors tipped off with the Lakers, and with that loss, the Warriors clinched their third consecutive playoff berth.

Although this is great news for the Warriors and their fans, this Warriors team is focused on bigger goals than just earning a playoff berth. The Warriors knew they would get into the playoffs, and now, their focus is earning the top seed in the playoffs and, ultimately, winning an NBA title.

Prior to the Warriors’ game against the Lakers on Monday night, Warriors backup point guard Shaun Livingston spoke to Monte Poole of Comcast Sportsnet Bay Area about the Warriors’ focus on earning the top seed in the Western Conference:

"“It’s huge. It’s absolutely huge in the West,” Livingston said. “The West is as tough as it gets. Every team is tough. To have that homecourt advantage all the way through, that’s big.“I haven’t been (at Oracle) for the playoffs. But I can only imagine, being here for an exhibition or regular-season game. I can only imagine what they’re going to bring. It’s a true homecourt advantage here.”"

Livingston and the Warriors know how important home court advantage will be in their pursuit of a championship. Steve Kerr and the coaching staff have spoken to the team about how they can’t get complacent, even after clinching a spot in the playoffs. Livingston spoke with Poole about this as well:

"“We’re competing to play better each game, to not fall into the trap of looking at the schedule, looking at a team, record-wise,” Livingston said.“What I’m telling you is hard to do,” he added. “It’s the right thing to say, but it’s the hardest thing to do. I could sit up here and tell it’s not hard, but it’s very hard. You have to almost mentally psych yourself out to come out and be aggressive and play this way.”"

Coach Kerr was unaware that the Warriors could clinch a playoff spot on Monday night, and he too focused on the Warriors’ bigger goals when speaking with Diamond Leung of the Bay Area News Group before the game on Monday:

"“I guarantee you not one of us was aware that we can clinch tonight,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said before the game, adding that he didn’t know until a public relations official told him.“We’re all just kind of focused on what we’re doing.”"

Coming from a Warriors fan, it’s still a little hard to believe that the Warriors have not only clinched a postseason berth for the third straight year, but they also are a legitimate title contender. It seems like just yesterday that Warriors fans were simply happy to see their team make it to the playoffs, so seeing the Warriors’ pursuit of the top seed in the Western Conference and in the NBA heading into the playoffs is quite astounding and exciting.

The Warriors currently have a 53-13 record, which is the best record in the NBA. They also have the best home record in the NBA at 29-2, and they have an impressive 23-11 road record. The Warriors currently lead the Memphis Grizzlies, who currently own the second seed in the Western Conference, by six and a half games.

Next: Warriors Mailbag: Playoffs, DLee, Championship Aspirations

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