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

By Frank Yien

CLEVELAND, OH - JUNE 08: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors celebrates with the Larry O'Brien Trophy after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers during Game Four of the 2018 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 8, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Warriors defeated the Cavaliers 108-85 to win the 2018 NBA Finals. 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 Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - JUNE 08: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors celebrates with the Larry O'Brien Trophy after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers during Game Four of the 2018 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 8, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Warriors defeated the Cavaliers 108-85 to win the 2018 NBA Finals. 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 Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
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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 the Golden State Warriors looking 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, as Stephen Curry admitted recently.

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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 acquired DeMarcus Cousins, an All-Star center coming back from an Achilles injury, will help keep things interesting, as will having LeBron James in the same division. 

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

Boston Celtics

The return of Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward from 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 Harden and Chris Paul enter their second season as teammates.

Houston lost Trevor Ariza and Luc Mbah a Moute to free agency, but added All-Star Carmelo 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 coach Luke Walton will be adding incoming veterans LeBron James, Lance Stephenson, and Rajon Rondo to young guns Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma, and Josh 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 Raptor Kawhi Leonard has always given the Warriors fits.

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

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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 pick Markelle Fultz, injured most of last year, will finally get to play alongside All-Stars Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. (January 31st in Oakland, March 2nd in Philadelphia)

The Golden State Warriors open the season on Tuesday, October 16th 7:30PM PDT against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Oracle Arena in Oakland, broadcast on TNT.

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