Golden State Warriors: Ranking their greatest threats in the West

DENVER, CO - JANUARY 15: Kevin Durant #35 hi-fives Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors on January 15, 2019 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - JANUARY 15: Kevin Durant #35 hi-fives Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors on January 15, 2019 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) /

3. Oklahoma City Thunder

The Oklahoma City Thunder are in the midst of a slump, having dropped four of their past six games and nine of their last 13 overall. On the flip side, they are currently tied with the Spurs for the fifth-best record in the Western Conference.

They have a pair of MVP-caliber players that can hurt opposing teams on any given night. Russell Westbrook is averaging a triple-double for the third consecutive season. Just let that thought sit in your brain for a minute.

Paul George is also having a great season as he’s averaging career highs in scoring (28.3 points per contest), rebounding (8.2) and assists (4.2). On top of that, PG-13 also leads the league in steals with 2.2 per contest. Simply put, they make a formidable 1-2 punch.

OKC also bolsters a very balanced attack, with five players scoring in double figures, and they are the second-best rebounding team in the association. From a defensive standpoint, the story becomes a little suspect, though, as the Thunder ranked 15th in both points allowed (110.9 points per outing) and opponents’ field goal efficiency (45.8 percent).

Although the season series isn’t always indicative of how a playoff matchup will go, the Dubs have knocked off the Thunder in two of their three meetings, winning by average of 15 points per game, including a recent 110-88 home loss on Mar. 16.

When it’s all said and done, OKC can be a difficult out in the playoffs, but they doesn’t have enough to dethrone the champs.