Currently holding a commanding 2-0 lead over the Denver Nuggets, the Golden State Warriors are starting to look like the team-to-beat in the Western Conference. Their relentless play on both ends of the court and quality depth have really started to pay off. With the Phoenix Suns facing a cloud of uncertainty after Devin Booker's untimely hamstring injury, the path to the NBA Finals don't seem too far out of reach for the Dubs.

As they slowly work their way back to full strength, the Warriors are in prime position to win their first conference title since 2019. With all this in the fold for Golden State, let's now discuss two reasons the Warriors are the new Western Conference favorite after the Suns' recent setback.

Warriors New Western Conference Favorites

The Warriors have unmatched firepower on offense

With Stephen Curry still working his way back into the starting lineup, Jordan Poole has filled in nicely. Even with Curry on a minutes restriction, he's still been highly effective. Add to that the balanced scoring attack that also features Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, Otto Porter, and Gary Payton II. Plus with the designated point-forward Draymond Green back to his old tricks and Nemanja Bjelica giving the team major contributions, the Warriors currently boast the most explosive offensive unit out West.

Curry, Thompson, and Poole have been the remixed version of the splash brothers. They've taken Golden States' 3-point shooting to the next level. The elite playmaking of Green, Bjelica, Porter, and Andre Iguodala have anchored their stellar ball movement. This in-turn has allowed them to run a free flowing offense. Between the speed, depth, and lights out shooting of this versatile Warriors team, it goes without saying that their firepower on offense has been truly unmatched.

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Golden State has been absolutely relentless on defense

Led by an all-out effort on the defensive end, the Dubs have smothered the Nuggets and limited their offensive capabilities through the first two games of the series. Behind the dominant play of Green, Curry, Thompson, Payton II, and the rest of the gang, the Warriors have completely taken the Nugs out of their element on offense. Jokic has been worn out and all out of sorts while getting very limited production from the rest of his squad.

This is definitely a result of the Warriors lockdown defense that has been on full display through the first few games of the series. Now that they've put on a clinic, it's hard to imagine that they'll be taking their foot off the gas anytime soon. As they gun for a sweep of Denver while continuing their pursuit of another NBA championship, their top-notch defense has been crucial to their success up to this point in the playoffs.

Just when they looked absolutely doomed, things have started to look up in the Bay Area once again with everything going better than they'd hoped. Now that the Suns have had a recent slip up and lost their edge against the Pelicans, this has paved the way for Golden State to reclaim the Western Conference crown.