The Warriors will have at least two salient factors on their side Friday night when they face the Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix.
One, the Warriors are the hottest team in the NBA, the first in league history to open a season with 16 consecutive wins.
And, two, the Suns (7-8) are among the coldest teams this side of Philadelphia, losing their last three games and four of their last five.
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The Warriors, however, are two days away from embarking on a two-week road trip in which most of the games will be on the East Coast. If their minds should wander in the slightest, the Suns are explosive enough to pose a real challenge.
THE LINE
Warriors by 8.5.
MATCHUP TO WATCH
Golden State Warriors
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Steph Curry and Klay Thompson vs. Eric Bledsoe and Brandon Knight -- It’s a great battle of backcourts. “Splash Brothers” Curry and Thompson are the highest scoring guard duo in the league, averaging a combined 48.3 points per game. Combo guards Bledsoe and Knight rank third, averaging 44.8 per game. This game likely will be decided by the backcourts, so the winners of this battle will give their team a significant advantage.
INJURY REPORT
Warriors: F Kevon Looney (hip surgery) is listed as out.
Suns: C Tyson Chandler (upper respiratory infection) is listed as questionable.
SERIES HISTORY
The Warriors have won 11 of the last 14 meetings, including the last three in a row.
QUOTABLE
“We’re not saying, ‘We’re trying to get to 25 or 30,’ or whatever it may be. We’re just looking at the next opponent, looking at the game plan and trying to continue to play at a high level and match every opponent’s level of intensity that they’re going to try to bring to us.” – Andre Iguodala on the team’s mindset as the win streak continues.