Given the configuration of the Western Conference standings, it seems unlikely that the Golden State Warriors could play their way out of playoff contention, with a spot in one of the play-in games a strong likelihood considering their three-game cushion over the New Orleans Pelicans. The Warriors (31-32), 10th in the West, have dropped consecutive games after previously winning seven of nine to seemingly build momentum for a playoff push. In both losses, the Warriors were a sieve defensively: first against the Dallas Mavericks, when Golden State surrendered a 25-0 run to close the first quarter, and then down the stretch against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday, with the Warriors surrendering 37 fourth-quarter points in a 126-114 setback.