The Warriors picked up their 70th win and in the process clinched 1st place in the West with a 112-101 victory over the Spurs.
GAME LEADERS
The Warriors became the second team in NBA history to reach 70 wins, and in the process clinched first place in the Western Conference with a 112-101 victory over the Spurs on Thursday night at Oracle Arena.
Coming off of two losses in the first three games of their final extended homestand of the season, the Warriors broke out of their mini-slump against a team that was right behind them in the standings. The nationally televised showdown was the first regular season game in NBA history between teams with at least 65 wins apiece. The Dubs improved to 9-0 in games following a loss this season, and they made perhaps one of their loudest statements yet in their 70-win campaign.
The Warriors shot 54.2 percent from the field, out-rebounded San Antonio by 11 and had 33 assists on 45 made baskets. Stephen Curry led the club with 27 points and nine assists, and Harrison Barnes continued his hot shooting, going 8-for-13 for 21 points. Draymond Green once again stuffed the stat sheet with 18 points, seven assists and six rebounds, while Andrew Bogut protected the paint with two blocks to go along with his 11 rebounds.
After both teams struggled to score in the early going, the Warriors broke a 15-15 tie with a 14-0 run that bridged the first and second quarters. An 8-0 run by San Antonio late in the second quarter brought the Spurs back within six, but back-to-back 3-pointers by Harrison Barnes gave the Dubs a 12-point lead going into the half, and the Dubs would maintain their double-digit advantage for the rest of the game.
Now 70-9 on the season, the Warriors need two more wins to tie, or win all three remaining games to break, the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls’ NBA record of 72 wins. They’ll take the next step toward that milestone on Saturday, when they open a two-game road trip in Memphis.