Watch: Draymond Green's clutch block saves the Warriors vs. Mavericks

With the Warriors clinging to a six-point lead at home against the Mavericks, Green made one of the most impressive defensive plays of the season. First, he denied Kyrie Irving on his drive. Then, he reacted to Irving pass to Daniel Gafford, stuffing the Dallas forward. Finally, he managed to keep the loose ball from going out of bounds, preserving possession.

If that wasn't enough, Green went down and drew a foul on Gafford, then drove past him for a layup, continuing a run of six straight points for a man who is normally not known for his scoring prowess. Four of the points came on plays where Mavericks defenders goaltended his shots.

On a night where Steph Curry and Klay Thompson combined to shoot 10-of-32, the Warriors got it done with defense. They held the Mavs to just 100 points, 18.7 points below their average, and forced 15 turnovers. A huge part of that was Green's four steals, giving him 10 steals in his last two games.

While Irving scored 27 points, P.J. Washington had 20 and Luka Doncic came up with yet another 30-point triple-double, the rest of the Mavericks scored only 23 points, shot 10-of-29 and didn't make a single free throw.

Golden State's defense is picking up at the perfect time. This was the fourth game in the last five that the Warriors held their opponent to 100 or fewer points. Not coincidentally, they've won five straight and can effectively clinch the No. 10 seed by beating the Houston Rockets this week, after they lost to Minnesota Tuesday.

The heart of that defense? Just as it has been for the last 10 seasons, it's Draymond Green.