After last night’s resounding win over the San Antonio Spurs, the Golden State Warriors have clinched the number one seed in the Western Conference, and by doing so have also clinched homecourt advantage throughout the entirety of the 2016 playoffs. Golden State did just that Thursday night, rolling to a decisive 112-101 victory over the Silver and Black in Oakland, Calif.
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“It took 70 wins to wrap up the one seed, which tells you all you need to know about that team in the other locker room, ” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said of the Spurs after wrapping up home court throughout the playoffs as well.
Golden State plays the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday in Memphis, the Spurs on Sunday in San Antonio and the Grizzlies again on Wednesday in Oakland.
“Felt good to get some minutes, get some shots, get some touches”, said Duncan, who played only 19 minutes against the Warriors.
The game between the Warriors and Spurs became the first time in National Basketball Association history that to team with at least 65 wins faced off in a regular season. They have a 4 1/2 game lead with three games remaining (four left for San Antonio).
After losing two of their previous three games at home the past week, the Golden State Warriors were driven to get back on track with the playoffs looming.
“We have not practiced a lot together, haven’t played a lot together”, Nurkic said.
The Spurs won their first 14 in the second game of a back-to-back before a 111-92 road loss to the Thunder on March 26 in which Aldridge and Leonard were rested.
The sides have already played three times this year, with the Spurs absolutely dominating their meetings so far. It is at this point of the season where they can either start to build for next season or shut their ears, bury their heads in the sand and try to block out the season that has been.
One player who likely will sit is power forward LaMarcus Aldridge, who dislocated the pinky finger on his right (shooting) hand late in the first quarter in the game against the Warriors.
Gary Harris scored 17 and rookie Emmanuel Mudiay added 15.
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Asked why, he said: “What does that get you if you’re defeated?” Still, he’s not enamoured with the fact San Antonio has won 48 straight regular-season games at home dating to last season. If you’re trying to win the game in an ugly fashion and you cant even win those two categories, you have no shot. Miller finished with eight points.
