Spurs at Thunder
The San Antonio Spurs have won a franchise-record 19 straight games to open up a four-game lead over the Oklahoma City Thunder for the top spot in the Western Conference. The Thunder will look to end that winning streak and scratch a game off their deficit in the West when they host the Spurs on Thursday. San Antonio will be playing the second night of a back-to-back but was barely challenged in a 111-90 win over the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday.
The Spurs only had one player (Boris Diaw with 33) go for more than 29 minutes and have been able to get the starters plenty of rest with an average margin of victory of 23.5 points over the last four games. San Antonio could have a little more trouble on the defensive end while dealing with Kevin Durant, who is staring down Michael Jordan with his run of 38 straight games of at least 25 points. The superstar forward needs two more to tie Jordan, whose 40-game streak during the 1986-87 season is the longest in the last 50 years. Durant is averaging 25.7 points in three previous meetings with the Spurs this season.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, TNT
ABOUT THE SPURS (59-16): San Antonio had a lot of trouble beating other top teams early in the season and dropped each of the first three meetings with the Thunder, most recently a 111-105 setback on Jan. 22. The Spurs have had fewer issues in that area of late and checked off wins over Miami, Indiana, Portland, Dallas, Chicago and Golden State (twice) during the current run. San Antonio locked up the Southwest Division with Houston’s loss to Toronto on Wednesday and is working toward homecourt advantage throughout the playoffs if it can hold off Oklahoma City.
ABOUT THE THUNDER (54-19): Oklahoma City comes in pretty hot as well with wins in eight of its last 10 games and had the last three days off to prepare following easy home victories over the Sacramento Kings and Utah Jazz. “It’s important to get the work in, but it’s also important to rest,” coach Scott Brooks told reporters. “Most coaches like me want to keep practicing and doing drills and scrimmaging and special situations. You also have to rest the body and mind, and our players understand that we have to utilize all of our days.” The Thunder embark on a four-game road trip after finishing with the Spurs and will play six of the final eight away from home.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. San Antonio G Tony Parker is averaging 20 points on 17-of-31 shooting over the last two games.
2. Thunder G Russell Westbrook (knee) will sit either Thursday or against the Houston Rockets on Friday.
3. Oklahoma City F Caron Butler has knocked down multiple 3-pointers in four straight games.