Off./Def. Ratings By Month, West Top 4 Seeds

The Suns and Grizzlies have increased offensive production over time while the Warriors and Mavericks have held on to decent numbers.

The Suns are way ahead of the pack in the standings, and have clinched the best record in the NBA, currently at 61-14. They've only lost four games since the All-Star break.

Here's a chart detailing their ratings on both ends of the floor:

Phoenix's defense has been better than average all season long, and their offense has been incredible since the new year. There's a reason the Suns have been the team to beat, and the graph speaks for itself.

Behind them in the standings are the Memphis Grizzlies, who occupy the 2 seed and will most likely remain there to end the season. Memphis is 53-23, which is the second best record in the NBA by quite a margin. Similar to Phoenix, the Grizz are getting it done on offense with numbers way above the median average.

Their defense has been good since the new year, but if they can play postseason basketball with the defensive ferocity they showed in December, they'll be a tough out against anyone.

The Warriors had a fall from grace when Draymond Green went out. The story has been the same ever since Steph got injured, but he hopes to return in time for the playoffs. Golden State currently holds third place in the West with a record of 48-28, but they are only half a game up on Dallas. Their defense has been a cause for concern since February.

The Warriors defense has gotten worse each month, but the jump in points allowed from January to February is alarming. Their best hope to make a deep run in the postseason is obviously to have Curry back, but also to regain that defensive-minded toughness that they showed at the beginning of the season.

The Mavericks are pushing for the 3 seed, currently tied with Golden State in the win column and one game back in the loss column. Their offense has seen a jump in production post All-Star break, but their defense fell below league average for the first time all season in March.

Dallas should like their chances against Utah, a team that has lost five games in a row and whose morale seems to be diminishing. If the playoffs started today, the Mavericks would play against Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets, which would be a challenging matchup. They'd probably rather host the Jazz, which would require them to either leapfrog the Warriors in the standings, or hope Utah can reach fifth place again.