The Warriors take on the Spurs in a matchup of the teams with the top two records in the NBA.
Warriors at SpursSaturday, March 115:30 p.m.AT&T Center
WATCH: ABC
RADIO: 95.7 The Game, Warriors Radio Network
HEAD OF THE CLASS
The Warriors close out a stretch of eight games in eight cities, seven states and one district on Saturday when they visit the Spurs in a nationally televised game in San Antonio. This will be the second of three head-to-head matchups between the two teams, and the first since Opening Night. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m. and fans will be able to watch the game live in primetime on ABC or listen to the call on 95.7 The Game on the Warriors Radio Network.
LAST TIME OUT
The Warriors came all the way back after trailing by 14 points in the fourth quarter, but Stephen Curry’s potential game-winning jumper in the final seconds rimmed out and the Dubs wound up on the short end of a 103-102 nail-biter in Minnesota. Full Recap
MATCHUP AT A GLANCE
GSW
52-13
1st in West
116.8 PPG (1st)
44.5 RPG (8th)
30.5 APG (1st)
SAS
50-14
2nd in West
106.5 PPG (11th)
44.0 RPG (11th)
23.8 APG (7th)
PREVIOUS GAME STARTERS
GSW: Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Patrick McCaw, Draymond Green and Zaza Pachulia
SAS: Dejounte Murray, Danny Green, Kawhi Leonard, LaMarcus Aldridge, Dewayne Dedmon
INJURY & ROSTER NOTES
GSW: Stephen Curry (rest), Kevin Durant (left knee), Draymond Green (rest), Andre Iguodala (rest) and Klay Thompson (rest) are out. Damian Jones (D-League assignment) is not with team. Team Notes
SAS: Kawhi Leonard (concussion protocol) is out. Tony Parker (back stiffness) is questionable. Team Notes
TIME TO REST
Following Friday’s narrow defeat in Minnesota, Head Coach Steve Kerr announced that Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Andre Iguodala will sit out Saturday’s game due to rest. But the Dubs aren’t the only team who will be without some marquee players. Spurs MVP candidate Kawhi Leonard will also miss the game due to the NBA’s concussion protocol, and guard Tony Parker is questionable with back stiffness. From a Warriors fan perspective, it’s never ideal to be without four All-Stars and a former NBA Finals MVP, but it will also provide opportunity for some Warriors reserves to get some extended minutes. Ian Clark is coming off of a solid performance in Minnesota, Patrick McCaw has picked up his game in recent weeks and Kevon Looney will likely have a chance to show what he can do against an elite team.
TEAM LEADERS
GSW
PTS: Durant (25.3)
REB: Durant (8.2)
AST: Green (7.1)
SAS
PTS: Leonard (26.2)
REB: Gasol (7.8)
AST: Parker (4.7)
SAN ANTONIO SCOUTING REPORT
The Spurs come into Saturday’s game hot on the Dubs’ tail – one and a half games to be exact – for the top spot in the Western Conference. The Spurs have no weakness. Like the Dubs, they are top-five in offensive rating (5th, 109.6 points per 100 possessions) and defensive rating (first, 100.8). And even though they’ll be without Kawhi Leonard on Saturday, they still have plenty of starpower. LaMarcus Aldridge and Pau Gasol are talented veterans who can dominate the midrange, and they have plenty of shooters around them, as the Spurs lead the NBA in 3-point shooting percentage (39.3%). With the team being shorthanded and on the back end of a back-to-back at the end of a trying portion of the schedule against a team that has been a symbol of excellence for multiple decades, the Warriors certainly have their work cut out for them. But games aren’t played on paper, and nothing would be more inspiring than if the Dubs’ reserves can lead their team to victory in San Antonio.