Game Preview: Golden State Warriors vs Phoenix Suns
By Andrew Ites
The Warriors will face the Suns for the first time this season on Monday night as it marks Golden State’s second-to-last game before the All-Star break.
Two weeks ago it looked like the Warriors were going to limp into All-Star weekend, and possibly give up the number one seed in the Western Conference as a result.
They lost three out of four games, and Steve Kerr mentioned that the team was “mentally fried” and getting caught looking forward to the All-Star break. However, they’ve turned it around over the past two games of this home stand with a 121-103 win over the Mavericks and a 122-105 win over the Spurs at Oracle Arena.
The Warriors still have a bad habit of starting games slow as they were trailing at the end of the first quarter in both of those games, but the problems on defense and their turnover issues have subsided over the past two games.
Golden State should be able to pick up their third straight win tonight over a Suns team that comes into Monday’s game with a record of 18-39 and has the 28th-ranked offense and the 30th-ranked defense in the NBA.
Devin Booker is currently listed as questionable for tonight’s game with a hip injury. The Warriors will not be at full strength either as Draymond Green is expected to sit out with a sprained left index finger.
Even without Draymond, Golden State should be able to roll over the Suns at home, but they need to come out with more energy in the first quarter.
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Game Details
Golden State Warriors vs San Antonio Spurs
Tip-Off: Saturday, February 10, 2018 at 5:30 p.m. PST
Location: Oracle Arena, Oakland, CA
TV: ABC
Radio: 95.7 The Game, Warriors Radio Network