Golden State Warriors: Marquee matchups for the 2018-19 regular season

The Golden State Warriors look to defend their title in 2018-19. Mark your calendar for these Warriors’ can’t-miss dates in the upcoming season.

We’re about six weeks away from the start of the 2018-19 NBA season, with theGolden State Warriorslooking to add a fourth Larry O’Brien trophy in five years.

Despite the Warriors’ embarrassment of riches, the upcoming season is far from a foregone conclusion. Getting motivated for every regular season game can be difficult, asStephen Curryadmittedrecently.

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If last season’s challenges taught the Warriors anything, it was how to pace themselves and peak come playoff time.

Integrating newly acquiredDeMarcus Cousins, an All-Star center coming back from an Achilles injury, will help keep things interesting, as will havingLeBron Jamesin the same division.

Here are some of the key matchups for the Warriors, in order ofoddsof winning the NBA championship this season.

Boston Celtics

The return ofKyrie IrvingandGordon Haywardfrom injuries should make the Celtics a difficult opponent for the Warriors. Last January 27th, the Warriors needed 49 points from Curry to hold off the Celtics in a thriller.

This year’s games could well be a preview of the NBA Finals. (They play January 26th in Boston, March 5th in Oakland.)

Houston Rockets

After coming agonizingly close to upsetting the Warriors in the Western Conference Finals last year, the Rockets’James HardenandChris Paulenter their second season as teammates.

Houston lostTrevor ArizaandLuc Mbah a Mouteto free agency, but added All-StarCarmelo Anthony. There will be fireworks aplenty. (November 15th in Houston, January 3rd and February 23rd in Oakland, March 13th in Houston)

Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers will be one of the most interesting teams to watch this year, as coachLuke Waltonwill be adding incoming veterans LeBron James,Lance Stephenson, andRajon Rondoto young gunsLonzo Ball,Kyle Kuzma, andJosh Hart.

It’s been a long time since the Warriors and Lakers were competitive at the same time. The NorCal-SoCal rivalry is back. (December 25th in Oakland, January 21st in LA, February 2nd in Oakland, April 4th in LA)

Toronto Raptors

The Raptors finished first in the East last season but got swept in the second round of the playoffs. The Warriors won both regular season games last year against Toronto, but new RaptorKawhi Leonardhas always given the Warriors fits.

A healthy Leonard is a two-way terror, andKyle Lowrymade a career-best 238 three-pointers last season. (November 27th in Toronto, December 12th in Oakland)

Philadelphia 76ers

The Sixers made great strides last season and earned valuable playoff experience. This young athletic team can threaten, if the Warriors lose focus.

The 2017 number one draft pickMarkelle Fultz, injured most of last year, will finally get to play alongside All-StarsJoel EmbiidandBen Simmons. (January 31st in Oakland, March 2nd in Philadelphia)

TheGolden State Warriorsopen the season on Tuesday, October 16th 7:30PM PDT against theOklahoma City Thunderat Oracle Arena in Oakland, broadcast on TNT.

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