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Tuesday, 12 April 2016 23:20 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
AFP (Los Angeles): The Golden State Warriors notched their record-equalling 72nd victory of the NBA season on Sunday (10), beating the Spurs in San Antonio 92-86 in a Western Conference heavyweight clash.
The reigning NBA champion Warriors improved to 72-9, matching the league record for regular-season wins set by the 72-10 Chicago Bulls led by Michael Jordan in 1995-96.
The Warriors can break the record with a victory on Wednesday, when they conclude the regular-season against the Memphis Grizzlies at home in Oakland.
“We’ve got a great group of guys, that really sacrifice every single night,” Warriors star Stephen Curry, who scored 37 points, said of what it took to reach the milestone.
“We’re competitive, we’re hungry. We care about each other. I think we try to play the right way.”
The Warriors’ hopes of matching or exceeding the Bulls’ mark had dwindled with losses to the Minnesota Timberwolves and Boston Celtics.
Golden State Warriors' Andre Iguodala attempts a shot during the game against the San Antonio Spurs at AT&T Center on 10 April – AFP
Golden State eked out a 100-99 victory over the Grizzlies in Memphis on Saturday, but the clash with the Spurs, who were a perfect 39-0 at home this season going into the contest, was seen as a major hurdle.
San Antonio had won 48 straight regular-season games on their home floor dating back to last season, and the Warriors hadn’t won a regular-season game there since 1997.
With both teams playing tough defense it was a close game, but Golden State turned the tide in the fourth quarter.
Forward Harrison Barnes had three key baskets as the Warriors took a six-point lead. Curry and Klay Thompson helped the Warriors build their advantage to 90-79 with 1:34 remaining.
The Spurs pulled within four points in the closing seconds, but wouldn’t get any closer.
