The San Antonio Spurs are 50-9, on pace for 69 wins, a number that only one team in NBA history has eclipsed. They’ve outscored their opponents by 13.6 points per 100 possessions, a bigger differential than that of the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls or any other team of the last 40 years.
All three teams that have won at least 69 games and eight of the 10 that have won at least 67 have gone on to win the NBA championship. All four teams that have recorded a regular-season NetRtg of better than plus-10.0 have won the title.
But in 2015-16, 50-9 is somehow second best, because the Golden State Warriors are something we’ve never seen before.
The champs topped themselves again on Saturday, coming back from 11 down with less than five minutes to go in Oklahoma City to beat the Thunder in overtime on Stephen Curry’s ridiculous game-winner. Amazingly, we wouldn’t have gotten there if Kevin Durant didn’t throw the ball away or if Andre Iguodala (9-for-30 on fourth quarter free throws in last year’s playoffs) didn’t hit two freebies with a second to go in regulation.
The Spurs got waxed by the Warriors in their only head-to-head meeting a month ago. It’ll be another 20 days before they get them at home (where San Antonio is still undefeated), and there are two more meetings in April. Maybe the champs will knock the Spurs off their win pace, and maybe the Spurs will keep the Warriors from getting 73 wins.
At this point, they’re both set to make history, but only one will still be playing in June.
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? Last week: Deadline doesn’t alter the landscape
? This time last year: Post-break hoops gets ugly — Derrick Rose suffered a second torn meniscus in 15 months and Andre Roberson put a dent in Russell Westbrook’s face. Rick Carlisle and Rajon Rondo had a shouting match on the Mavs’ bench, Jusuf Nurkic gave Markieff Morris the business, and Kobe Bryant wasn’t happy with the way his teammates celebrated a win over Boston.
? Plus-minus stud: Tobias Harris (DET) was a plus-65 in four games last week.
? Plus-minus dud: Julius Randle (LAL) was a minus-63 in three games last week.
? Hero team of the week: Detroit (4-0) — The Pistons ended a five-game slide and beat the top two teams in the Eastern Conference, one on the road and the other on the second night of a back-to-back.
? Zero team of the week: Philadelphia (0-4) — The Sixers had some winnable games last week, but allowed their opponents (all below-average offensive teams) to score 115 points per 100 possessions.
? Team to watch this week: Portland — The Blazers’ week will be a good test of East vs. West. Portland has won 13 of its last 15 and will visit Boston (13-4 since Jan. 22), Toronto (18-4 since Jan. 6) and Detroit (on a four-game winning streak) after Tuesday’s game in New York.
? East vs. West: The West is 180-158 (.533) against the East in interconference games after going 7-5 (Golden State and Portland were each 3-0) last week.
? Toughest schedules so far: 1. L.A. Lakers, 2. Denver, 3. Milwaukee
? Easiest schedules so far: 1. San Antonio, 2. Oklahoma City, 3. Portland
Schedule strength is based on cumulative opponent record, and adjusted for home vs. away and days of rest before a game.
? High jumps of the week: Detroit (+5), Atlanta (+3), Phoenix (+2), Toronto (+2)
? Free falls of the week: Memphis (-3), Five teams (-2)
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Pace: Possessions per 48 minutes (League Rank)
OffRtg: Points scored per 100 possessions (League Rank)
DefRtg: Points allowed per 100 possessions (League Rank)
NetRtg: Point differential per 100 possessions (League Rank)
The league has averaged 98.0 possessions (per team) per 48 minutes and 103.4 points scored per 100 possessions this season.
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NBA.com’s Power Rankings, released every Monday during the season, are just one man’s opinion. If you have an issue with the rankings, or have a question or comment for John Schuhmann, send him an e-mail or contact him via Twitter.
