NBA Power Rankings: Can Warriors or Cavs Reclaim Top Spot Before Playoffs?
It's musical chairs time for the NBA's elite, with major movement again occurring inside the top 10.
There's even a new team occupying the No. 1 spot.
It's a tricky time on the basketball calendar, with clubs prioritizing everything from rest to draft lottery ping-pong balls to—get this—actual wins. While all three pursuits make sense in the right circumstance, the latter is the only one that can help clubs scale our digital ladder.
These are on-court assessments only, meaning the rankings are based on traditional metrics, advanced analytics, team health and the eye test. And there's a built-in recency bias, since totem-pole position is meant to depict how these teams are presently performing.
30. Los Angeles Lakers
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←→ No Movement
Fellow tankers, take note: The Los Angeles Lakers taught a master class on the delicate art of embracing the loss column over the last week. The final tally was an 0-3 stretch, but they weren't just embarrassingly steamrolled.
They lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers and red-hot Milwaukee Bucks by a total of nine points. And in their 24-point loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, they saw Brandon Ingram, D'Angelo Russell, Ivica Zubac and Julius Randle combine for 75 points on 53.6 percent shooting.
Somewhere, Sam Hinkie nodded in approval.
L.A.'s stretch run is all about player development and draft pick protection. That doesn't help in these rankings, but the Lakers are still right where they need to be.
29. New York Knicks
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So, about that ill-fitting superteam label Derrick Rose hilariously applied to the New York Knicks last summer.
New York hasn't won consecutive games since the calendar changed. The offense is a tug of war between the veterans and the prospects, with neither side gaining any traction. The defense is so bad head coach Jeff Hornacek has hinted with the subtlety of fireworks that it drive offseason changes to the roster.
"We got to make sure whoever is on the team next year, we get guys who play as hard as they can every play," Hornacek said, per Marc Berman of the New York Post.
But hey, at least it sounds like the triangle offense is here to stay. That's not necessarily a dig, by the way, if Kristaps Porzingis—aka the Empire State's most important hooper—really believes it's the best fit for his skill set.
28. Phoenix Suns
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↓ 6 Spots
The Phoenix Suns have one win to show for their last nine trips to the hardwood.
And they should be fine with that. Their three highest-paid players have been shut down for the season, not due to injury, but rather that they're proven commodities.
The Suns want a better grasp of what their youngsters can do, especially when that exploration process helps improve their draft lottery odds. But opening their six-game East Coast road trip with three consecutive double-digit defeats shows how green this group really is.
The good thing is Devin Booker, Marquese Chriss, T.J. Warren, Tyler Ulis and Derrick Jones can all be fun to watch. The bad thing is any glances at the scoreboard can short circuit that fun.
27. Brooklyn Nets
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↑ 1 Spot
The Brooklyn Nets have nothing to play for—no playoff spot to chase, no draft position to improve.
But they do have Brook Lopez, which matters more than many might think. The 7-footer has turned into a one-man wrecking crew of late, scoring at least 23 points in six of his last seven games and sinking the Detroit Pistons with the first buzzer-beater of his career.
"The [idea] is to keep playing tough, not quit and have no slippage," Lopez said, per Brian Lewis of the New York Post. "You want to build a foundation and get things right so we have continuity going into next year."
Having Lopez fight the good fight keeps the Nets from encountering nightly disasters. (Seriously, their second-highest scorer, Jeremy Lin, averages 13.7 points and has played 26 games.) But the non-Lopez talent isn't there to escape the cellar.
26. Sacramento Kings
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Don't look now, but the Sacramento Kings are sort of, maybe exciting. They're not any good—losers of three straight by a combined 50 points—but the DeMarcus Cousins-less Kings are following the lead of their next potential building blocks.
Over the last week, there's been a 21-point outburst by Buddy Hield, two double-digit scoring efforts from Skal Labissiere, the first double-double of rookie Georgios Papagiannis' career and a four-block performance by Willie Cauley-Stein.
At worst, those are welcome distractions for a fanbase that hasn't celebrated a playoff berth since 2006. At best, they are possible starting points for the new era of Kings basketball.
"They're featuring these guys while cementing themselves as a team with one of the league's six worst records, all but assuring that they'll retain their first-round pick in June," ESPN.com's Marc Stein wrote. "This is how it has to go post-Boogie."
25. Orlando Magic
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↑ 2 Spots
The Orlando Magic continue to pay for last summer's mistakes.
Their ill-fated gamble on Serge Ibaka was abandoned at the trade deadline. Their confounding move of Aaron Gordon to the wing may have stunted his growth. Their starting center spot hasn't fit comfortably with Nikola Vucevic or Bismack Biyombo. Their $15 million investment in Jeff Green has yielded a decisively Jeff Green-ish return (random offensive outbursts sandwiched between prolonged periods of inactivity).
It's been impossible to assess the impact of head coach Frank Vogel, because his hands are clean of this roster mess. The same cannot be said of general manager Rob Hennigan, whose job "is under threat at season's end," league sources told ESPN.com's Marc Stein.
But they did knock off a pair of bottom-feeders in the past week, hence the minor move upward. Of course, one can argue that's not the direction Orlando should be traveling en route to another post-Dwight Howard lottery appearance.
24. Philadelphia 76ers
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↑ 1 Spot
On a macro level, it feels like the crying face emoji would suffice here. We've known for a while we wouldn't get a look at Ben Simmons until next season. But a torn meniscus surgery for Joel Embiid? This feels like cruel and unusual punishment by the basketball gods.
But the Philadelphia 76ers are still fielding an NBA team and, believe it or not, defeating other NBA teams.
They've won three of their last six games, with Richaun Holmes reminding folks he's more than the forgotten frontcourt face (14.0 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.3 blocks over this stretch) and Justin Anderson torching his former team in Philly's 42-point drubbing of the Dallas Mavericks.
It's tough to tell how many keepers the Sixers are playing. And Jahlil Okafor still seems in dire need of a new home. But as long as head coach Brett Brown has bodies, this group will play hard.
23. Chicago Bulls
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←→ No Movement
The Chicago Bulls are like a puzzle that had its pieces scattered across different states. It's not even worth the effort of trying to figure this out.
They built a non-shooting roster in an era of three-point shooting, with a pace-and-space coach at the helm no less. They have tried to emphasize youth and relaunch fading stars to middling results on both efforts. They might be building around Jimmy Butler, but they also fielded trade calls for their All-Star, a league source told Bleacher Report's Ken Berger.
Even their game results are head-scratchers. Since Feb. 1, they have defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, Toronto Raptors and Boston Celtics and lost to the Phoenix Suns, Minnesota Timberwolves and Orlando Magic.
Their 2-2 week did little to make the picture any clearer, although it would've looked a lot different had they not blown a 15-point lead over the final 6:39 of regulation during Tuesday's overtime loss in Toronto.
22. Detroit Pistons
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↓ 2 Spots
This is supposed to be the time when the Detroit Pistons make their playoff push. They're careening off a cliff instead.
"If we don't change the way we're playing, this is going to get really, really ugly," head coach Stan Van Gundy told his players.
Detroit has five losses in its last six games. The Pistons haven't scored 100 points in any of the five and failed to reach 85 points twice. They were on the wrong end of Brook Lopez's buzzer-beater in Brooklyn and suffered a 22-point shellacking in Chicago the following night.
Reggie Jackson ceded his starting spot to Ish Smith the last time out, and it's tough to say the change made any impact. The Pistons aren't defending or scoring at competent levels right now, and the clock is ticking for them to find a fix.
21. Minnesota Timberwolves
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↓ 7 Spots
The Minnesota Timberwolves' playoff-hopeful carriage looks like a lottery-bound pumpkin again.
They have dropped four straight and watched Nemanja Bjelica join Zach LaVine on the season-ending injury list. These weren't bad losses—three to playoff teams, the other to the surging New Orleans Pelicans—but they were reminders of the time still needed to turn the Timberpups' potential into reality.
There's plenty to like here, especially if the new-look Ricky Rubio (17.6 points, 10.6 assists, 47.6 three-point percentage over his last seven outings) sticks around a while. Karl-Anthony Towns is already elite as a 21-year-old sophomore. Andrew Wiggins, who turned 22 last month, has made several encouraging strides on the offensive end.
But their work-in-progress roster is losing the numbers game. They don't have the depth to support their emerging stars, and injuries have only exacerbated the issue.
20. New Orleans Pelicans
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↑ 4 Spots
Is it too late for the New Orleans Pelicans to push for the Western Conference's last playoff spot? Perhaps, but the NBA's most ferocious 4-5 combo isn't gong down without a fight.
"I think by just looking at [the standings] gives us more motivation to go out there and play," Anthony Davis said, per ESPN.com's Justin Verrier. "Every time we're in the huddle, I tell them it's a must-win game for us, and then we go out there and play accordingly."
There's still a your-turn, my-turn dynamic playing out with the Davis-DeMarcus Cousins pairing. But since each All-Star big man has filled a leading role before, both are capable of carrying the torch.
New Orleans has won three games in a row—all by double-digits—and five of its last six. There are certainly worse formulas to follow than a top-five defense since the All-Star break and two bigs averaging a combined 50.6 points, 23.9 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 2.7 steals and 2.5 blocks since joining forces.
19. Charlotte Hornets
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↑ 2 Spots
It's been nearly two weeks since Kemba Walker shot better than 40 percent from the field, a six-game stretch in which the Charlotte Hornets' lone All-Star has more field-goal attempts (114) than points (106).
But the Hornets have still secured their first three-game winning streak since January, thanks in no small part to Cody Zeller's absurd 73.1 percent shooting. It also helps that the team has averaged nearly three times as many assists (25.0) as turnovers (8.7), and 7-footer Frank Kaminsky has helped spread the floor by shooting 7-of-13 from distance his last two times out.
There isn't a sustainable winning pattern for Charlotte involving this level of inaccuracy by Walker. Not with the Hornets' next two best scorers—Nicolas Batum and Kaminsky—barely clearing the 40 percent shooting mark on the season.
Still, some credit is due here for knocking off a pair of playoff teams and rallying to avoid what would have been a deflating loss to the lowly Magic in the last week.
18. Dallas Mavericks
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↓ 2 Spots
It's probably too early to say this and may not have an impact on their playoff fate, but the Dallas Mavericks' patchwork approach to building around Dirk Nowitzki is finally paying off.
Harrison Barnes has been comfortable and efficient in his initial go-round as an NBA first option. Seth Curry is the rare clearance-priced godsend. Yogi Ferrell, initially a 10-day experiment, is delivering double-digit points, a near three-to-one assist-to-turnover ratio and 40 percent three-point shooting on a nightly basis.
And Nerlens Noel already appears both a deadline theft and the stopping point on the Mavs' post-Tyson Chandler annual center search.
"He brings a dimension that we haven't had here for a while: shot-blocking, athleticism, rebounding," Mavs president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson told ESPN.com's Tim MacMahon. "A 22-year-old with significant upside in a 7-foot frame is good material to work with."
That said, Dallas' future shines brighter than its murky present. The Mavs are 3-4 in their last seven games, a record dragged down by unsightly losses to the Suns and Sixers.
17. Indiana Pacers
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↑ 2 Spots
Consistent inconsistency has become a way of life in the Circle City, where the Indiana Pacers have neither won nor lost consecutive games in more than a month.
Franchise centerpiece Paul George is doing his best to keep the Pacers afloat, posting at least 28 points in three of his last six outings. But sophomore center Myles Turner has seen his points, rebounds and blocks dip since the All-Star break—despite a tiny uptick in playing time—and the bench has been disastrous all season (27th in net efficiency).
The Pacers lack an identity, which George admitted to ESPN.com's Zach Lowe. They have bottom-half rankings in offensive and defensive efficiency, and Indy's offseason aim to pick up the tempo has somehow resulted in a slower pace than last season. (Nate McMillan's track record said this could happen.)
But if the playoffs started today, Indy has a spot. And with the back end of the Eastern Conference's postseason picture being what it is, alternating wins and losses might be enough to keep it.
16. Atlanta Hawks
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↓ 5 Spots
It's no surprise to see the Atlanta Hawks crumbling amid a five-game losing streak. Their structure can't support the absence of Paul Millsap, who's been sidelined by left knee tightness.
Hawks Hoop's Graham Chapple explains:
"You'd know, if you've watched the Hawks on a regular basis this season, that Millsap is the only consistent offensive player for the Hawks. Dennis Schröder is somewhat consistent but when he's off…he's really off. Tim Hardaway Jr. can bring the fire, but he can be a little streaky—feast or famine, to an extent. Kent Bazemore has been extremely inconsistent this season, whilst Thabo Sefolosha isn't asked to score a whole lot and has struggled shooting the ball this season. Dwight Howard, meanwhile…the less said about Dwight's offense the better.
"
Atlanta's efficiency falls 7.6 points per 100 possessions when Millsap doesn't play. He's the most important player on both ends of the floor, leading the team in scoring and ranking second in rebounds, assists, steals and blocks.
Adding insult to injury, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter that Millsap will opt out of his deal and test free agency this summer. That's been expected all along, but as this recent stretch shows, losing the do-it-all forward would be a crushing blow.
15. Memphis Grizzlies
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↑ 2 Spots
The has been a season of change for the Memphis Grizzlies. They handed the coaching reins to David Fizdale, placed a $94 million wager on Chandler Parsons (a bad gamble so far), moved Zach Randolph to the second unit and jumped from averse to average in perimeter shooting.
But underneath it all, they remain grit-and-grind to the core.
"That's where we get our confidence and our consistency," Marc Gasol told NBA.com's Steve Aschburner. "When we don't play defense, we kind of lose our identity."
Following a deep decline out of the All-Star break, the Grizzlies are back doing what they do best. They've held six consecutive opponents beneath the century mark, picking up four wins in the process.
14. Portland Trail Blazers
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↑ 4 Spots
Slighted Damian Lillard is the best Damian Lillard. The Portland Trail Blazers can thank their point guard's All-Star snub for their 10-5 mark since the break.
Lillard has been unconscious since being denied the midseason honor for the second straight year. He's averaging 31.1 points—second in the NBA over this stretch—and hitting 49.5 percent from the field, 43.2 percent outside and 90.9 percent at the line. He's the reigning Western Conference Player of the Week, a run punctuated by a 49-point, 9-of-12 three-point shooting night in Miami on Sunday.
"I love the edge that we're playing with," Blazers head coach Terry Stotts said, per the Oregonian's Joe Freeman. "I think it's more about the sense of urgency with the playoffs at stake and knowing that we have no margin for error. And I think Damian's leading the charge with that."
Portland's defense continues to leak like a faulty faucet—18th in efficiency since the All-Star break—but the Lillard-led attack might be potent enough to steal a postseason spot.
13. Milwaukee Bucks
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↑ 2 Spots
The Milwaukee Bucks haven't had a bad loss since before the All-Star break.
Truth be told, they haven't had many losses of any variety over that stretch. They're tied for the third-fewest defeats (five) and second in victories (11) since intermission. They've not only kept their playoff hopes afloat after losing Jabari Parker to a torn ACL, but they've also climbed into the No. 6 spot.
What's more amazing is that Giannis Antetokounmpo's counting categories—while still at robust levels—have all fallen from the first half. But Khris Middleton's return as a human fireball (49.3 percent shooting, 48.3 percent from three) and Malcolm Brogdon rarely resembling a rookie has helped Milwaukee spark a rapid rise up the standings.
The Bucks' next step could take them anywhere. They're only a game out of fifth but also just 2.5 games up on 10th.
12. Denver Nuggets
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The Denver Nuggets were victimized twice by MVP candidate James Harden in the last week. He had 79 points over the Houston Rockets' two wins, providing a 40-point triple-double in one and the game-winning layup with two seconds remaining in the other.
That's the extent of Denver's losses over the past two weeks. The Nuggets won all five of their other games by double digits, including victories over the Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Clippers and Cleveland Cavaliers.
"We've been playing with a certain type of confidence," Gary Harris told reporters. "I feel like we're just clicking right now."
Denver has this month's most efficient offense and fourth-best net efficiency rating. Seven players are averaging double figures in March, led by soaring star Nikola Jokic's 19.3 points to go along with 11.4 rebounds and 6.2 assists.
11. Miami Heat
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↓ 3 Spots
In a season littered with surprises, the Miami Heat's midyear turnaround might be the most unlikely.
They were 11-30 at the halfway point, having already lost their highest-paid player (Chris Bosh) and top prospect (Justise Winslow) for the season. They've gone an astounding 24-7 since—without making a major external addition or significant changes to their strategic approach.
"Erik's [Spoelstra] done a great job of getting those guys to play to their strengths and implementing a system that really works for them," Detroit Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy said earlier this season. "Certainly, in my mind...it's the best coaching job that's gone on this year."
But the offense is badly missing Dion Waiters (sprained ankle), particularly the outside shooters who get extra breathing room from his dribble penetrations. Miami's upcoming three-game road trip, starting Sunday in Boston, could strengthen or shatter its playoff hopes.
10. Los Angeles Clippers
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←→ No Movement
Something is ailing the Los Angeles Clippers.
Even after opening the week feasting on the Cleveland Cavaliers junior varsity team and lottery-bound bottom-feeders, the Clippers are 8-9 with the 14th-ranked net efficiency rating in the second half. And these difficulties can't be attributed to their old nemesis, the injury bug.
"Our effort hasn't been there at times as a team," Blake Griffin told Bleacher Report's Kevin Ding. "Haven't had trust. ... I think we miss that."
The Clippers should be better than this. Sure, they could desperately use a two-way wing, but they arguably start top-five players (at worst) at three different positions. And their bench has never packed a punch this powerful during Doc Rivers' tenure.
But their individual parts look better than the whole, which will make the upcoming free-agency decisions made by Griffin, Chris Paul and J.J. Redick all the more intriguing.
9. Toronto Raptors
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↑ 4 Spots
Kyle Lowry never made it back from All-Star Weekend, undergoing surgery on his right wrist. Since then, it's been DeMar DeRozan or bust for the Toronto Raptors.
DeRozan has been Toronto's high point man in 12 of its 15 post-break games. If he's not right, the Raptors probably aren't, either. Over this stretch, he's averaging 30.2 points on 50.2 percent shooting during wins and only 20.4 points on 39.8 percent shooting in losses.
He keyed comeback wins over Chicago and Miami with the first consecutive 40-point outings of his career. His 16 first-half points Sunday helped the Raptors cruise to a 25-point win over the Pacers. And even though he struggled with his shot against the Pistons, he hit all eight of his free throws, grabbed eight boards, dropped six dimes and posted a plus-15.
He needs his All-Star running mate back, and the Raptors could use the spacing created by Lowry's three-point threat. But thanks to DeRozan, they've managed to avoid any egregious losses without their tenacious floor general.
8. Utah Jazz
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↓ 1 Spots
It's only natural the legend of 7'1" Rudy Gobert continues to grow.
His worst outing since our last rankings was a 13-point, 13-rebound, five-block performance. He narrowly missed a triple-double his next time out, tallying 16 points, 14 rebounds and eight blocked shots. He saved his mic-dropper for last, blitzing the Knicks for a career-best 35 points (on 13-of-14 shooting), 13 boards (11 on the offensive end) and another four rejections.
"I'm just working every day and keep watching film and keep building chemistry with my teammates," Gobert told reporters after his career night. "I feel more confident, and my teammates believe in me even more."
Now, Gobert needs his teammates to catch up. The Jazz have dropped three of their last four, despite double-doubles and multiple blocks from their big man in each outing. Gordon Hayward and George Hill have been their reliable selves, but the rest of the rotation has battled inconsistency, injuries and, in Dante Exum's case, a frustratingly short leash.
7. Washington Wizards
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↓ 2 Spots
John Wall hasn't quite reached the absurd statistical level of the MVP front-runners, but he's as important to his team as any player in the East not named LeBron James.
Wall's seventh NBA season has been his finest to date. He's posting career highs in points (22.9), assists (10.8), steals (2.0) and player efficiency rating (22.7). His 16.3 turnover percentage and 44.3 field-goal percentage are both the second-best of his career.
Bradley Beal continues to emerge with a 50.2 percent success rate since the All-Star break (41.6 outside). As expected, deadline addition Bojan Bogdanovic has become a consistent offensive presence for the second unit. Ian Mahinmi has also given head coach Scott Brooks more frontcourt flexibility.
6. Oklahoma City Thunder
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↑ 3 Spots
Russell Westbrook can turn basketball impossibilities into reality.
Westbrook's most recent entry into his triple-double catalogue was so wild it was an NBA first. He had perfect shooting nights from the field and the foul line (6-of-6 from both), which had never previously been done in a triple-double, per the Elias Sports Bureau (via ESPN.com).
And these aren't just fun numbers. The Oklahoma City Thunder need every ounce of his production. They are 29-6 when he records a triple-double and 12-24 when he doesn't. Their net efficiency rating plummets 13.5 points per 100 possessions when he leaves the floor.
OKC is also learning how to better leverage his talent into team success. His usage percentage hasn't been this low all season (39.1 percent in March), and his assist percentage hasn't been higher in 2017 (54.3). The Thunder have won six of their last seven games and given themselves a puncher's chance at the West's fourth seed.
5. Cleveland Cavaliers
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↓ 1 Spot
Playing defense isn't fun. The Cleveland Cavaliers seem to enjoy having fun.
You do the math.
"You can't preach toughness," LeBron James said following Cleveland's 126-113 loss to Denver on Wednesday. "You've got to have it."
Cleveland hasn't provided much defensive resistance all season, sitting 22nd in efficiency at that end. But the problem has worsened lately. Only the Lakers have a worse defensive rating than the Cavs' grisly 112.6 mark since the All-Star break. On a related note, Cleveland is 6-8 over its last 14 games.
But there's time to clean this up. It hasn't cost the Cavs the East's top seed yet, and even if it does, there isn't a playoff path through the conference that would scare them. And with multiple pieces added in-season, plus the return of guys who were injured, this could just be a matter of finding continuity.
4. Boston Celtics
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↓ 1 Spot
It's kind of been a tale of two seasons for the Boston Celtics, only both stories deliver the same result—a winning percentage of .600 or better.
The first-half Shamrocks obliterated teams with the league's sixth-best offense and merely maintained at the opposite end with the 18th-rated unit. But since the All-Star break, Boston is down to 22nd in offense and fourth defensively.
Even if this looks like flipping one strength for another, it's more likely a sign of growth. The Celtics are defending at a championship level now, and their offense remains elite when leading scorer Isaiah Thomas is on the floor (111.7 offensive rating since the All-Star break; would rank third overall).
They struggled mightily during the diminutive scoring guard's recent two-game absence, barely beating Brooklyn and falling in Philly. But since his return, they have knocked off two potential playoff foes (Wizards, Pacers) and averaged 109.5 points while doing so.
3. Houston Rockets
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↓ 1 Spot
What do you get when you combine Mike D'Antoni, James Harden and a roster littered with sprinters and snipers? Indigestion for opposing coaches.
The Houston Rockets are racing toward a record-setting season in three-point makes and attempts. That isn't news, because they've been launching all season. What is developing, though, is a new level of potency to this run-and-gun game. Since the All-Star break, Houston is averaging 2.26 extra possessions per 48 minutes and 4.1 more points per 100 possessions.
Health, more than anything, has made that happen. The Rockets have largely had a full complement of players available, save for a one-game absence by Ryan Anderson and some rest for Nene. Deadline acquisition Lou Williams has been his typically streaky self, exploding for 27-plus points in three of his first 13 games with the team.
The Rockets have reeled off five wins in six outings, their only stumble coming against the Solomon Hill-led Pelicans (no, really). Harden had a 41-point triple-double that night. Even when the Rockets lose, their offensive flame stays lit.
2. San Antonio Spurs
29 of 30
↓ 1 Spot
It's fitting that the San Antonio Spurs, who perpetually exist outside the spotlight, wouldn't be the easiest team to read.
Due to injuries and rest, they have often worked without a full deck. Dating back to Jan. 1, they have fielded 15 different starting lineups and seen Kawhi Leonard, LaMarcus Aldridge, Tony Parker and Pau Gasol sit out at least five contests each (totaling 34 absences).
"It breaks the team chemistry," Leonard said, per ESPN.com's Michael C. Wright. "Once you have that unit out here with your five guys knowing who you're going to play with, who's going to sub you in and out, I feel like you get better chemistry like that."
Even with the disjointed lineups, the Spurs have 2017's second-highest winning percentage (.737) and net efficiency rating (plus-8.5 points per 100 possessions). Turns out being whole isn't always vital when Gregg Popovich has a roster with star power, depth and elite defensive talent.
1. Golden State Warriors
30 of 30
↑ 5 Spots
Hopefully anyone who sold their seat on the Golden State Warriors bandwagon collected top dollar. The Dubs own the league's longest winning streak at five straight, and they thrashed those opponents by an average of 19.6 points per game.
The offense hasn't hummed like this since Kevin Durant went down. During the streak, Golden State has gone for 113.6 points a night on 51.1 percent shooting (44.4 from distance) while piling up 30.4 assists against 15.6 turnovers.
The Warriors appear back to their revolutionary ways, with Stephen Curry shredding nets from the logo, Klay Thompson connecting on 25 of his last 47 triples and the defense operating at March's most efficient level.
"A return home, some needed rest and some extra time to adjust to Kevin Durant's injury has rejuvenated the Warriors back into who they've been much of the past three seasons: dominant, sharpshooting world-beaters, the king of the regular-season blowout," Bay Area News Group's Anthony Slater wrote.
Oh, and the Warriors are cautiously optimistic about Durant's return before the end of the regular season, sources told ESPN.com's Marc Stein and Chris Haynes. It's a good time to be golden.
Unless otherwise noted, statistics accurate through Thursday, March 23, and used courtesy of NBA.com and Basketball-Reference.com.
Zach Buckley covers the NBA for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter: @ZachBuckleyNBA.
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