With the all-star festivities finished, the Western Conference-leading Warriors have 25 games left in the regular season. Can they set up the ideal stretch run that builds momentum into the playoffs?
Following a few internal hiccups between Kevin Durant and Draymond Green, Klay Thompson’s shooting woes and a myriad of early-season injuries, the Warriors enter the final stretch as one of the hottest teams in the league, winning 16 of their last 18 games.
To get you ready for the playoff sprint, here are some storylines to follow closely…
Team defense
Through 57 games, the Warriors have been a middle-of-the-road defensive unit, ranking 15th.