Game Preview: San Antonio Spurs vs. Golden State Warriors

San Antonio Spurs vs Golden State Warriors

AT&T Center, San Antonio, Texas
Date: 4/10/16, Time: 6:00 PM Spurs Time
TV: FSSW/NBATV - RADIO: 1200 AM WOAI

In case you haven't heard, the Golden State Warriors have beat a fair number of teams this season. They could in fact win more games this regular season than any team has before. The San Antonio Spurs have won their fair share of games, as well. I'd venture to say they've looked unbeatable at home because - oh wait, they are. These two teams are riding some historical stretches of winning basketball that they'd like to preserve.

The first three games between these two have shattered TV ratings, and I'd expect much of the same in their final regular season matchup with so many historical records at stake. This is a matchup that will attract all of sports media. It's the kind of game that will be scrutinized to death to find potential mismatches that can be abused come May. All of this analysis may not matter because Pop and Kerr have held their cards tight to their chests.

One thing that we have definitely learned, however, is that defensive miscommunications for the Spurs simply won't fly against a team with a million offensive weapons at their disposal. I counted nearly a dozen uncharacteristic defensive lapses in the first quarter alone of their latest meeting. It's the sort of lack of execution you would expect out of a team that's 14-65, not the other way around.

And for that reason, I don't want to do too much in the way of analysis for fear that it may be all for naught - the Warriors are playing for a chance at a historical regular season and the Spurs cannot move up or down in the standings and genuinely could not care less about their undefeated home record. With Aldridge's finger dislocation in their latest matchup, Pop should prioritize health over all else.

Matchup to watch: It would have been Green-Diaw-Leonard-Aldridge vs. the Warriors, because beating the Spurs not only requires Kawhi and LaMarcus playing as their usual selves, but also the x-factors in the series - Icy Hot and The Big Round-amental performing at high levels.

But Boris won't be available as his adductor strain will keep him out of the game, which means that the Spurs will be without their 4-man group that's +16 against the Warriors this year.

So let's go with Aldridge vs. his finger. If LMA is able to recover from and score at will on his jumper, and take Barnes into the post when matched up with the smaller forward, then the Spurs will be able to mitigate the absence of Diaw.

Game prediction: Spurs by 2 ± 30.

For the Warriors' perspective, visit Golden State of Mind.

As always Tony must dominate Fisher.