Every week, The New York Times will choose one essential game to watch, highlighting hot teams, winning and losing streaks and statistical intrigue in the N.B.A.
Cleveland at Oklahoma City, Sunday, 3:30 p.m. Eastern, ABC
During the past month, the Golden State Warriors, who are on pace for the best record in N.B.A. history, faced three opponents that fans and commentators were convinced would push them to their limit.
First came LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, on Jan. 18. But the Warriors beat the Cavs, the best team in the Eastern Conference, by 34 points.