Utah Jazz free-falling in our Western Conference power rankings

OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 27: Joe Ingles #2 of the Utah Jazz handles the ball against the Golden State Warriors on December 27, 2017 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 27: Joe Ingles #2 of the Utah Jazz handles the ball against the Golden State Warriors on December 27, 2017 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
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Kevin Durant Golden State Warriors GSW LeBron James Cavs
OAKLAND, CA – DECEMBER 25: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors reacts after blocking the shot of LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers late in the fouth quarter of an NBA basketball game at ORACLE Arena on December 25, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

1) Golden State Warriors

As if there were any doubt they would reclaim top honors.

The Golden State Warriors have been in cruise control for much of the 2017-18 season, but have been ultra-impressive recently despite the absence of Stephen Curry. With just two games left to play before the new year, the Dubs are rocking a one-loss December.

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The key to their success (expected though it may be) has been an especially stingy defense. The Warriors are the only team in the league with a D-rating below 100 for the month (at 99.2) and continue to be tops in the league in that department.

Perhaps no player embodies the effort like Kevin Durant, who is currently No. 2 in the league with a career-best 2.3 blocks per game.