The Golden State Warriors are closing in on NBA history, currently projected to break the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls' mark for most wins in an NBA season (72) with five games left on schedule. At 69-8, the Warriors are also one victory away from joining the '95-'96 Bulls as the only other 70-win team in league history. The reigning champions have looked fatigued of late, but they continue to find ways to win with the playoffs right around the corner.
Let's get caught up with the week that was and preview the coming games with our Warriors Weekly.
Last Week:
The Warriors began the week with a pair of close games against teams fighting for a playoff spot. Behind a near triple-double for Draymond Green (15 pts, 16 reb, 9 ast) and 26 points from Stephen Curry, Golden State overcame the Washington Wizards Tuesday at home, 102-94. The Warriors' next contest in Utah was even dicier, as it took a clutch three-pointer from Klay Thompson to send the game into overtime in an eventual 103-96 win over the Jazz. Curry scored a game-high 31 to lead the team to a franchise-best 68th win.
Friday's game against the Boston Celtics was a shocker, as the Warriors fell to the Celtics 109-106 to end their NBA-record home win streak at 54. Curry (29 pts, 6 ast, 5 reb) and Green (16 pts, 9 reb, 7 ast) filled up the stat sheet, but the team gave up 27 points off 22 turnovers, which ultimately led to their first loss of the season at Oracle Arena.
Golden State bounced back in a big way to finish out the week, riding a huge second half to blow out the Portland Trail Blazers 136-111. In the process, the Warriors became the first team in NBA history to make at least 1,000 three-pointers in a season.
This Week:
The Warriors' march to 73 continues Tuesday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves at home. While the T-Wolves are a bottom-five team record-wise, they played the reigning champions tough the last time they met (March 21 in Minnesota).
The remainder of Golden State's week will be a stiff test, as they play the No. 2 seed San Antonio Spurs twice -- Thursday at home and Sunday on the road, with the latter coming on the second night of a back-to-back. The Warriors' Saturday game will come against the injury-plagued Grizzlies in Memphis.
While going a perfect 4-for-4 this week would mean breaking the Bulls' 72-wins mark, how the No. 1 seed Warriors fare against the No. 2 seed Spurs will ultimately mean a lot more as to their NBA title aspirations. Gregg Popovich, who typically rests his starters down the stretch, saying that he will not change his strategy for these marquee matchups. Tony Parker was even more straight-forward, predicting that Pop will rest all of the Spurs' top contributors against the Warriors.
Injuries:
Andrew Bogut (ribs) and Andre Iguodala (ankle) both practiced on Monday and could suit up Tuesday against the Timberwolves. If not, expect a Thursday return against the Spurs.
What They're Saying About The Warriors:
Steve Kerr jokes about 1996 Bulls-2016 Warriors series (San Francisco Chronicle)
Warriors Regain Edge Needed to Make History (Bleacher Report)
Warriors' 69th win has Steph Curry entering rarified air (KNBR)