Warriors crucially turning weakness into major strength ahead of trade deadline

The Golden State Warriors might rank only 19th in bench net rating so far this season, but they're starting to showcase the makings of a strong second unit after running away with a 137-103 victory over the Sacramento Kings at Chase Center on Friday night.

With the game awkwardly sitting tied at 84 late in the third-quarter, it was Jimmy Butler and the bench unit who inspired a 13-0 run to close the period and what ended as an incredible 53-19 run over the remainder of the game.

Warriors bench is starting to become a major strength

The combination of De'Anthony Melton and Al Horford continues to be a dynamic duo off the bench, having both hit form and a rhythm after respective injury issues. Melton followed his season-high 22 points against the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday with another 19 points in less than 19 minutes, shooting 6-of-10 from the floor and 3-of-6 from 3-point range.

Horford too has overcome his early season struggles since his return on Christmas Day, dropping nine points, five rebounds, two assists and a block on 4-of-6 shooting in just over 16 minutes. Golden State won the bench scoring battle 66-38, with Brandin Podziemski also contributing 14 points, four rebounds, two assists and finishing as a game-high +28, while Gary Payton II had 12 points and nine rebounds in 18 minutes.

Stephen Curry, of course, led the way for the Warriors with a 27-point, 10-assists double-double on 6-of-12 shooting from 3-point range, but it was a team effort from the hosts who had eight players score nine points or more in the 34-point blowout win.

Golden State were scorching offensively against a mediocre Sacramento defense, shooting 54.7% from the floor and 42.2% from 3-point range. Just as importantly, they recorded 10 turnovers which marks the third game in a row they've recorded 10 turnovers or less.

The Warriors are taking advantage of an easier schedule, starting their eight-game home stand 2-0 and having now won eight of their past 11 games. While they may need to make a major move to add more talent to their starting lineup, the bench unit, led by Melton and Horford, is starting to look like a legitimate strength for Golden State to take forward over the remainder of the season.

The Warriors remain eighth in the Western Conference at a 21-18 record, with the Atlanta Hawks set to visit on Sunday in the days after their huge Trae Young trade to the Washington Wizards.