Gameday: Warriors, Spurs collide in battle of NBA's best

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SAN ANTONIO -– The Warriors have engaged in several “Game of the Year” battles this season, yet this one looms largest of all.

The defending champs, with the best record in the NBA (62-6), take the floor at AT&T Center, home of the San Antonio Spurs, the No. 2 team in the league at 58-10. This season has belonged to the Warriors and Spurs, with the other 28 teams in futile pursuit.

The combined win percentage of the two teams is, according to Elias Sports, the highest ever between opponents at least 50 games into a season. The Warriors have won 14 of their last 15, the Spurs 13 of their last 14.

[POOLE: Warriors must overcome loss of Bogut vs Spurs: 'Huge test']

The Warriors are seeking a victory to snap their 32-game losing streak in San Antonio. They haven’t won here in 19 years, since Feb. 14, 1997.

If that weren’t enough of a challenge, the Spurs are 34-0 at home this season.

BETTING LINE

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Spurs by 4.5.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH

Steph Curry vs. Tony Parker: Curry is the runaway leader in the MVP race, and Parker can’t hope to contain him. Parker, though, is having a nice bounce-back season. Even as the Spurs transition to the next phase, he remains a key to success.

Harrison Barnes vs. Kawhi Leonard: Barnes showed signs of snapping his slump Friday night, and he’ll need to bring his best to even partially offset Leonard, who has been fantastic and is certain to get some secondary MVP votes.

Draymond Green vs. LaMarcus Aldridge: Green harassed Aldridge into frustration when the teams met Jan. 25. Though Green is playing well, Aldridge seems to have settled into a nice offensive groove. Green will try to run the big man off the floor.

LAST 10

Warriors: 9-1. Spurs: 9-1.

INJURY REPORT

Warriors: C Andrew Bogut (left big toe strain) is out, according to Warriors head coach Steve Kerr. F Andre Iguodala (left ankle sprain), C Festus Ezeli (left knee surgery) and F Kevon Looney (right hip inflammation) are not with the team.

Spurs: No injuries listed.

SERIES HISTORY

The Warriors in the regular season have lost 23 of the last 27 and 55 of the last 65 meetings. The 32-game, regular-season road losing streak is the second-longest slide in NBA history.

QUOTABLE

“It’s going to be a great game . . . Anytime a game like this gets this much hype in the regular season, it’s great for the league. It’s going to be a great test for us. We know they’re undefeated at home and it’s a game where you can’t relax. We have to play 48 minutes against a team like that.” – Klay Thompson on the battle between the Warriors and Spurs

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