The Battle for the Records: Warriors vs Spurs

Apr 11, 2016
3 min read

Steph Curry goes to the rim against the Spurs

If the 2015/16 Golden State Warriors are in the conversation when discussing the greatest NBA teams of all time, then surely the San Antonio Spurs of this season have to be the best second-best team in NBA history.

Coming in to this game in San Antonio, the Warriors are 71-9, just two wins off breaking the legendary 1995/96 Michael Jordan led Chicago Bulls single season wins record. If they are to break that record, they must win their last two games, including this one. Standing in their way are the 65-14 Spurs. That record in itself is impressive enough, but the most impressive aspect of this teams success has been their play at home. If they are to win this matchup, they will become the first team in NBA history to go undefeated at home in the regular season.

The History

The Warriors are leading the season series 2-1. That loss is the most important of the three games they've played so far. It came in San Antonio the only time they played the Spurs there this season. The major takeaway from that game was the dominance the Spurs had in the rebounding battle. With Andrew Bogut and Festus Ezeli out of the line up, the Warriors were forced to play small ball all game. This allowed LaMarcus Aldridge to feast on the glass, adding 13 rebounds to go with his 26 points. The Spurs slowed the game down to a walk and beat up on the Warriors with bigger bodies. It must be noted that both Steph Curry and Klay Thompson were cold from the field, and that is a rarity. As well as this, Andre Iguodala was out injured. He is an integral part to the spacing and 'death line up' the Warriors use late in games.

Analysis

The Warriors are in the second half of a back to back, having beaten Memphis 100-99 in Memphis yesterday. As is his importance to the Warriors, Andrew Bogut was rested for this game to ensure he was good to go for the Spurs matchup. The Spurs played two days ago, losing 102-98 to Denver in Denver. This should not be read in to too deeply, as they rested the majority of their stars. Tony Parker, Kawhi Leonard, Danny Green, Manu Ginoblo and LaMarcus Aldridge all sat the game out.

The Warriors players are desperate to break this wins record. Coach Steve Kerr has publicly said that the record doesn't mean much to him, but the players have a different view. They want to break it. Badly. None more so than Draymond Green. Since about half way through the season, he has been the most vocal of the Warriors players when it comes to his opinion on what the record means to them. Getting Iguodala and Bogut back in the line up for this trip to San Antonio is massive for them.

San Antonio haven't spoken much about breaking the home wins record in the press. Coach Greg Popovich is notorious for channeling his energy towards the post season, meaning he doesn't stress over regular season records and what not. He will want to win this game though. A 2-2 split of the season series between these teams puts some doubt in to the minds of the Warriors players should they meet in the Western Conference Finals. The issue here, though, is that Boris Diaw is out with a thigh injury and Aldridge is carrying a finger injury on his shooting hand. Diaw creates so much movement and creativity within the Spurs offence, which is what they need to beat the Warriors. They have rested their players though, and that means a bit extra considering the Warriors are on the back end of an away back to back.

With Diaw out and Aldridge carrying that finger injury, plus the addition of Bogut and Iguodala in to the Warriors line up from the loss in San Antonio earlier in the year, I think the Warriors win. On top of that, they want this record. Draymond wants this record.