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5 Lessons From Warriors’ First Home Loss

By Gerald Bourguet

April 1, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23, left) and guard Stephen Curry (30) look on against the Boston Celtics during the fourth quarter at Oracle Arena. The Celtics defeated the Warriors 109-106. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
April 1, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23, left) and guard Stephen Curry (30) look on against the Boston Celtics during the fourth quarter at Oracle Arena. The Celtics defeated the Warriors 109-106. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Golden State Warriors
April 1, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) celebrates with guard Marcus Smart (36) against Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11, far right) during the fourth quarter at Oracle Arena. The Celtics defeated the Warriors 109-106. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Welcome To The Planet. Welcome To Existence.

Before Friday’s stunning home loss, Oracle Arena was universally thought to be untouchable. It was sacred basketball ground, a safe haven for a Dubs team that had lost all of its seven games on the road and had won 54 consecutive home games. The Warriors had a league-leading +15.1 point differential entering the game and the last time they lost at home in regulation was Nov. 11, 2014.

When the clock struck zero Friday night, the home crowd was understandably stunned. Not only had the Warriors lost at home, but Stephen Curry had a good, wide open look (for him) at tying it up from three with the game on the line. The ball went in and out, Harrison Barnes‘ desperation heave fell well short and just like that, Golden State’s hopes for a perfect 41-0 season at home were over.

Welcome to the planet, Warriors. Welcome to existence.

While it was discomforting to see the Warriors lose at home, it’s one home loss. Even if the San Antonio Spurs manage to go 41-0 at home this season, who cares? Unless the Dubs completely collapse over these last six games, they have the No. 1 seed wrapped up. In a seven-game series against the Spurs, Golden State would have home-court advantage.

The same way Spurs fans have been saying “Let the Warriors get to 73 wins, all that matters is the playoffs,” so too should Warriors fans counter with “Let them go 41-0 at home, all that matters is the playoffs.” Even better, Golden State has a chance to end that streak with one more game at the AT&T Center.

In any case, the Warriors were reminded that they are, in fact, human. It should serve as a good wakeup call for a team that’s been occupied with chasing NBA history, and the timing of that wakeup call is far more useful now than it would be in the playoffs. We dare you to move, Warriors.

Next: No. 4

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