"The Warriors are about to play three Western Conference playoff teams, and head coach Mark Jackson is convinced that his squad should be talked about in that same class.

The Warriors (5-10) host Memphis (9-6) tonight, Portland (9-7) on Wednesday and Oklahoma City (13-3) on Friday.

"We're getting after it, we're battling, we're a defensive-minded team, we're a professional team, we have no quit, we're a no-excuse team when excuses have been there for the taking," Jackson said. "In watching film, we're excited about the direction we're headed. There is evidence that we are very, very close to being the team that I envision.""