Warriors at Spurs
The Golden State Warriors take another swipe at ending their dismal
performances in San Antonio when they clash with the Spurs on Saturday.
Golden State has lost 32 consecutive regular-season visits to San
Antonio with the last victory occurring Feb. 14, 1997.
The Warriors had no issues when hosting the Spurs on Jan. 25 as they rolled to a 120-90 victory and they now attempt to halt San Antonio's 43-game homecourt winning streak. This matchup is the first of three between the clubs during the final 3 1/2 weeks of the regular season and the Spurs represent the biggest threat in keeping the Warriors from breaking the 72-win record held by the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls. Golden State reached 62 victories Friday when it delivered a 130-112 road victory over the Dallas Mavericks for its seventh consecutive win. San Antonio is one victory away from matching the Bulls for the second-longest home winning streak in NBA history and also is just six victories away from setting a franchise single-season record.
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, ABC
ABOUT THE WARRIORS (62-6): Reigning MVP Stephen Curry was 8 years old the last time Golden State won in San Antonio and he is fully aware of the history and of San Antonio's homecourt winning streak. "A lot of talk about this record," Curry told reporters after scoring 31 points against the Mavericks. "It's there and we want to get there and do it the right way, but our mission from New Year's and even after the All-Star break was to continue to get better and reach our stride as we move toward the playoffs. I believe we're on that trend." Shooting guard Klay Thompson was on his game against the Mavericks with 39 points and made 10 3-point baskets to raise his career total to 1,008.
ABOUT THE SPURS (58-10): San Antonio has won five consecutive games and is looking to avenge the shellacking it received from Golden State in the first matchup. "We're going to show up for the game and we're going to play it," center Tim Duncan told reporters. "It's not going to change our season or anything else. It'll be a great matchup for us, two of the best records in the league, and they're playing exceptionally well. So it's a good test for us — a playoff type of atmosphere, playoff type of intensity, a good experience for us." Not only was the Spurs' defense suspect by allowing a season high for points in the first contest but San Antonio also committed 26 turnovers.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Curry scored 37 points when the Warriors demolished the Spurs in January.
2. San Antonio F LaMarcus Aldridge has topped 20 points in eight of his past nine games and is averaging 24 points during the stretch.
3. Golden State C Andrew Bogut (toe) was injured against the Mavericks and is questionable to play versus the Spurs.