Spurs vs. Warriors: Score, Highlights and Reaction from 2016 Regular Season
The scoreboard said the Golden State Warriors faced the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday, but they were really playing against history. Everything the team does is framed in the context of its pursuit of the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls' all-time record of 72 wins in a season, including Thursday's dominant 112-101 victory over San Antonio.
Golden State moved to 70-9 on the campaign and became just the second team in league history to win 70 games in a season:
The Warriors still have to win their final three games of the season to surpass Chicago's mark of 72 wins, but they can afford to lose one more and still come away with a tie. All that stands in their way is a two-game road trip to Memphis and San Antonio and then one more home game against the Grizzlies:
As for Thursday's game, the Warriors clinched home-court advantage throughout the postseason with the win. Bryan Fischer of Bleacher Report took the time to point out how impressive the 65-13 Spurs have been this year as well:
Stephen Curry led the way with 27 points and nine assists, while Harrison Barnes chipped in with 21 points and eight rebounds. The Warriors connected on 12 three-pointers and used a 35-point third quarter to overcome a slow start on the offensive end.
Kawhi Leonard finished with a solid 23 points in the defeat for San Antonio.
Although the game wasn't close in the second half, there was a notable moment just one minute into Thursday's contest. Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich did not like what he saw and called a quick timeout. Paul Flannery of SB Nation felt empathy for Danny Green:
"As bad as any of us have gotten Pop'd during press conferences no one gets Pop'd like Danny Green just did.
— Paul Flannery (@Pflanns) April 8, 2016"
Some thought the Spurs would rest their starters, but Popovich looked like someone who was in the business of winning Thursday. Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News offered his take after the timeout: "OK, I guess Popovich is into this one."
Following the stoppage, the Warriors defense set the tone in the first quarter and took a 20-15 lead into the second. Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News put things into perspective for the Spurs:
The deficit wasn't the only early concern for the Spurs. "LaMarcus Aldridge looks to be in serious pain after Andrew Bogut blocks his attempt," Sam Amick of USA Today noted. "Spurs fans holding [their] breath."
Quixem Ramirez of the San Marcos Daily Record summarized the thought process for San Antonio fans:
McDonald noted it was a dislocated pinkie finger for the Spurs big man, who eventually returned to the game. That was welcome news for San Antonio, but the Warriors extended their lead to double digits during an efficient second quarter. Golden State built a 52-40 advantage by halftime after drilling eight of their 12 shots from three-point range in the opening 24 minutes.
However, the Warriors defense caught the eye of Sports Illustrated's Jeremy Woo:
"Warriors bottling up Spurs side-to-side. SAS missing Diaw and to a lesser extent LMA (for now), who let them attack inside-out.
— Jeremy Woo (@Jeremy_Woo) April 8, 2016"
The Warriors pushed their lead to 60-45 early in the third quarter behind solid play from Draymond Green. While the Spurs were keeping Curry in check at the time, Matt Moore of CBSSports.com noted they shouldn't forget about Green in the process:
Slowing Curry down didn't work for much longer, as he scored Golden State's next three baskets to stretch the lead to 67-48. ESPN Stats & Info highlighted the Warriors' ability to take advantage of open looks:
Marcus Thompson of the Bay Area News Group was already looking forward to a potential Western Conference Finals showdown:
Golden State put it on cruise control and took an 87-69 lead into the fourth quarter, but it entertained the crowd on the way to the blowout, via the NBA:
Rusty Simmons of the San Francisco Chronicle noted Curry scored 15 points in the third quarter alone and shot a blistering 7-of-10 from the field. Kawakami reflected on the reigning MVP's outing:
The game seemed to be over in the early stages of the fourth quarter, and ESPN.com's Bill Barnwell was not accustomed to seeing the Spurs on the wrong end of a blowout:
To San Antonio's credit, it hung around enough to force the Warriors starters back into the game. However, Dan Favale of Bleacher Report doesn't foresee that happening the next time the defending champions take the floor:
The return of the starters was more than enough for Golden State to maintain its double-digit lead on the way to a stress-free 112-101 win.
What's Next?
The Warriors did more than take another step toward history with the win. They clinched the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference and home-court advantage for the postseason.
As for the Spurs, they are locked in as the No. 2 seed and are probably the biggest threat to Golden State in its quest to win a second straight ring. Thursday's loss was ugly, but it was a road game against the league's best team. San Antonio has been incredible this season and will be a title contender in the playoffs.
Now the question is whether the Warriors can surpass the Bulls' record before the postseason. They have to win their final three contests to set a new record, and those come against the Spurs and Grizzlies (twice).
The Spurs may sit their regulars with the No. 2 seed locked up, and the Grizzlies are missing both Marc Gasol and Mike Conley. That's not to say the Warriors will cruise their way to the record, but 73 wins could become a reality if they continue to play the way they did Thursday.
Postgame Reaction
Tas Melas of The Starters on NBA TV had something to say to Golden State’s detractors after the contest:
Everyone’s attention will naturally turn toward the pursuit of the record now that Golden State has clinched the top seed. Simmons noted Warriors coach “Steve Kerr said he's ‘inclined’ to rest guys, now that No. 1 seed is locked up, but he's made a pact with players to let them decide.”
It seemed pretty clear what Curry wanted to do given his postgame quote, per Tim Bontemps of the Washington Post: “We have three games left. You all know what we're chasing. You all know what's out there.”
Bogut also reflected on the historic season but had an eye on the future, per Bontemps: “It's history, but we have to get a ring to back it up.”
Even though he knows the ultimate goal is that ring, Bogut still took to Twitter to recognize the achievement:
As for the Spurs, their biggest concern from Thursday was probably Aldridge’s health. According to McDonald, “Aldridge said his pinky popped back out first time he touched the ball. Had to pop it back in again. ‘Didn't feel right all night.’”
Aldridge's hand—and everything else—will need to feel right if the Spurs plan on beating the Warriors four times in the playoffs. Thursday’s showdown was a reminder of just how dangerous the defending champions can be, especially at home.
