The Golden State Warriors sure know how to make a statement.
As the San Antonio Spurs were racking up a point differential almost twice as big over eight weeks, the champs were waiting for their chance to prove that they’re still the best team in the league. And Monday’s win was the culmination of an eight-day stretch where the Warriors beat four very good teams — Cleveland, Chicago, Indiana and San Antonio — by an average of 27 points. Now they’re the team with the crazy point differential, not to mention the 44-4 record.
Easy wins over the Cavs and Spurs will likely keep the Warriors in the No. 1 spot through the All-Star break, but they have another big game on Saturday, their first meeting with Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and the Thunder, who are 16-3 since Christmas.
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? Last week: Spurs, Warriors finally square off
? This time last year: Time has come for our No. 1s to meet on the court — The Hawks finished a perfect January and had three players named as All-Star reserves (a fourth – Kyle Korver – would later be named as an injury replacement). Kyrie Irving dropped a double-nickel on the Blazers, Derrick Rose beat the Warriors with a step-back jumper, and Giannis Antetokounmpo executed a fadeaway dunk.
? Plus-minus stud: Draymond Green (GSW) was a plus-87 in four games last week.
? Plus-minus dud: Tyson Chandler (PHX) was a minus-77 in four games last week.
? Hero team of the week: Cleveland (4-0) — The Cavs’ signature win over the Spurs on Saturday was the second game of a back-to-back, which started with a quality road win in Detroit.
? Zero team of the week: Phoenix (0-4) — The Suns lost for the second time to the Sixers, and weren’t very competitive as their road trip finished in Cleveland, New York and Dallas.
? Team to watch this week: Indiana — As the Pacers try on another new starting lineup and an expanded role for Monta Ellis in the offense, they play three games against fellow East playoff teams.
? East vs. West: The West is 146-132 (.525) against the East in interconference games after going 13-13 last week (the Clippers went 3-0).
? Toughest schedules through Jan. 31: 1. Brooklyn, 2. Philadelphia, 3. Milwaukee
? Easiest schedules through Jan. 31: 1. Oklahoma City, 2. San Antonio, 3. Golden State
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: Miami (+5), Indiana (+3), Memphis (+3), Portland (+3)
? Free falls of the week: Atlanta (-4), Four teams (-3)
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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 97.8 possessions (per team) per 48 minutes and 102.9 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.
