#9 Rest and Relaxation
So what happened last year? On top of dealing with injuries and suspensions, the Warriors just got through a grueling 7 game series with OKC. The Cavs were waiting for them with 2 days off. This was on top of the Cavs sweeping the first two rounds.
Add to that the push the Warriors made to win 73, which they did. Add to that the pressure to win it all on top of winning the 73 to justify it like the 16 win Patriots (who also failed). That is non-existent here. In fact, it's reversed with regard to minutes played and travel.
And simply put, minutes and travel matter.
First the travel:
The Warriors are immensely well-rested and stay at home, where they've been for quite some time:
Golden State has played 11 of their final 16 games at home, including 6 of their last 7 to end the regular season. They played the absolute minimum on the road by sweeping every single team in the playoffs. Since March 30th, including the playoffs, they've made just 4 road trips: Phoenix, Portland, Utah, and San Antonio.
By the time they leave for Cleveland in Game 3 of the Finals, it will be the first time they've stepped foot in the Eastern time Zone in NINETY FOUR DAYS and they'll have spent only 13 of the prior SIXTY EIGHT DAYS outside of the Bay Area.
That explains why this team is 27-1 SU and 21-7 ATS in their last 28. Being home matters. Familiar surroundings matter. Less wear and tear matters. That is why spreads shift so much for those instances when they occur.
The Warriors have essentially gotten the NBA's version of a Swedish Massage in terms of travel since March 30th.
But it gets EVEN BETTER.
You want Rest? You got it!
From March 30th through May 31, the Day before Game 1, the Warriors will have played only 19 games in 63 days which includes a low-stress, late-season stretch where they rested their stars as they pleased.
Compare this to last year chasing the 73, and having to put away the Thunder, who had Durant on the other side of the ball. Now that same man joins them to fight for the title they should have won last year.
Advantage: Warriors
Onto the minutes...and the disparity is eye-popping and crucial.