The Golden State Warriors continue their march towards history, riding a current eight-game winning streak to a 45-4 overall record. If the Warriors can keep this pace, they'll finish 75-7 -- three games clear of the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls (72-10) for the best regular-season record in NBA history.
First things first, Golden State needs to protect its home court Saturday against a marquee Western Conference opponent. More on that later inside our Warriors Weekly update:
Where We've Been
Golden State swept a three-game East Coast road swing to push its winning streak from five to eight, holding off a late charge by an inspired Philadelphia 76ers squad (108-105) last Saturday, before taking down the New York Knicks (116-95) and Washington Wizards (134-121) on Sunday and Wednesday respectively.
Klay Thompson keyed the offense in the team's back-to-back triumphs against Philly and New York, scoring 66 combined points on 28-of-44 shooting (63.6%). It did take a late Harrison Barnes to stave off a major collapse in Philadelphia, but no harm, no foul.
Stephen Curry took the reins on Wednesday in D.C., dropping 25 in the first quarter and 51 in total in yet another highlight-reel performance in a year full of them. With Klay and Steph alternating epic scoring performances, it's hard to see the Warriors dropping six games or more in their final 33.
Where We're Going
It's only the third ESPN/ABC Saturday prime-time game of their new deal, but Warriors/Thunder on Saturday night may be the best of the year. The Oklahoma City Thunder (38-13) are the #3 wheel in the West's three-time elite class (Golden State, San Antonio), and a road win in Oakland would go a long way as a statement of championship intent.
There is some VERY interesting subtext to this game as well, considering the free-agent rumors swirling around Golden State and soon-to-hit-the-open-market superstar Kevin Durant. That won't be Durant's focus, nor the Warriors', but expect plenty of speculation to arise both during the game and after.
Golden State will have two other showdowns to finish off their slate before the All-Star Break, hosting the Houston Rockets (27-25) on Tuesday in another 2015 Western Conference Final rematch before heading to Phoenix (14-37) for the second game of a back-to-back on Wednesday.
Quote Of The Week
"I expect they'll ask me about what a potential move, whatever it is, how it'll impact the team, the chemistry, and this and that. But at the end of the day that's not my job. If it was we probably wouldn't have the team we have right now. I'll stick to shooting, playing with the teammates that we have, and hopefully whatever that means down the stretch, Bob and front office continue to do the job they've been doing." -- Steph Curry on what his role will be in major free agency discussions this summer.
Injuries
CSN Bay Area's Monte Poole says there's "an undercurrent of disenchantment" in the organization about Harrison Barnes' slow recovery process from an ankle sprain. Barnes' injury woes are adding fuel to the Kevin Durant free agency rumors.
Center Festus Ezeli will miss his fifth straight game on Saturday against the Thunder, as he continues to nurse a knee injury. Golden State remains mums on the timetable for Ezeli's return.
What They're Saying About The Dubs
Steph Curry's surreal relationship with President Obama (CSN Bay Area)
Three Warriors featured on All-Star Saturday Night (San Jose Mercury News)
Curry weighs in on Durant; Warriors "expect" to beat Thunder (CSN Bay Area)
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