How Warriors’ record stacks up as NBA playoff picture becomes clearer

The Warriors have played 50 games so far, and have won five games in a row. While it may not have been pretty, the team must be feeling good winning six of seven on the homestand, and more importantly, forming chemistry on the court between their top scorers. With the All-Star break a couple weeks away and then the final playoff push right after, the Warriors now hope to gain good health and momentum for the stretch run.

Here are some notes and observations about the last week of action:

1) Andrew Wiggins trying to prove his All-Star starter worth

There has been much debate whether or not Andrew Wiggins deserved his starter spot on the All-Star team. Either way, Wiggins at the very least has shown to be the most consistent (on both ends of the floor) and available wing in the Western Conference so far this season.

On the year, the 6'7 forward is putting up over 18 points per game, on 48.5 percent shooting from the field and 41.4 percent from deep. He has stepped up to every challenge this season so far, whether it was to prove that he can be consistently aggressive and assertive every night, or that he could change his shot selection to raise his efficiency.

Wiggins also has accepted the challenge to prove that the All-Star voters got it right. In the two games since being named All-Star starter, Wiggins has shown out on national television to a tune of 21.5 points per game, on an electric 57 percent from the field and 56 percent from long-range, making nine of his 16 attempts. He is also filling up the stat sheet in every other phase of the game, grabbing 6.5 rebounds per game, as well as dishing out three assists per contest, to go with two steals and two blocks.

If he keeps this recent surge going, Wiggins will be making many naysayers have to rethink their position.

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2) With 32 games left, the playoff picture is becoming clearer

Through 50 games, the Warriors' record stands at 37-13, good for the second-best record in the Western Conference (and NBA). Through 50 games last season, the Warriors had a 23-27 record and were trying to stay afloat. However, for better context, it is appropriate to look at the pace of the current Warriors as compared to the dynastic team.

In the 2018-19 season, the Warriors had a record of 36-14 through 50 games. In 2017-18, they were 40-10 and in 2016-17, they were 43-7. The final records of these teams, however, can paint a better picture of what type of finish the Warriors can expect the rest of the way.

In the 2018-19 season, the Warriors finished with a 57-25 record, which landed them first in the Western Conference. This current team would have to go 20-12 the rest of the way to match that record, but even still, they would likely finish no better than second in the West considering the Phoenix Suns are sitting 3.5 games above them in the standings as of now.

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Despite winning 58 games in the 2017-18 season, the Warriors finished second in the West to the Houston Rockets, who outpaced them by seven games by winning 65 on the season. Finally, the 2016-17 Warriors team put up an impressive 67 wins to finish first in the West. This current Warriors team would have to go 30-2 in or order to reach that mark, so that pace being highly unlikely is an understatement.

If the Warriors are to surpass the Suns by the end of the season, they may have to win another 23 to 26 games and finish the year with 60 to 63 wins. With the uncertainty of Draymond Green and James Wiseman's returns, it may be difficult to put together such a finish. However, if the Warriors can simply get healthy enough over the final few weeks of the season and gain some team chemistry on the court, then it will not matter where they finish in the standings, they will still be considered the favorite to get to the NBA Finals.