Gameday: Warriors close out historic first half vs lowly Suns

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PHOENIX – The Warriors are on a roll, riding a 10-game win streak with a prime opportunity to make it 11 in a row in the final game before the All-Star break.

The defending champions are winning at a record pace (47-4) as they invade the desert to face a Suns team limping and losing at an unprecedented pace. Phoenix (14-39) is hurtling toward its worst record since its inaugural season in 1968.

While the Warriors are leading the NBA in offense and rank among the best on defense, the Suns have been undone by a series of injuries and internal strife. Coach Jeff Hornacek was fired last week, less than two years after finishing second in the Coach of the Year voting.

The Suns lost its last four games under Hornacek and have lost four more in a row since Earl Watson took over as interim head coach.

BETTING LINE:
Warriors by 16.

MATCHUP TO WATCH:
Draymond Green vs. Markieff Morris: Green is having his best season and is deserving of his berth on the All-Star team. Morris has spent most of this season as a very public malcontent after seeing his twin brother, Marcus, traded in the offseason. He underperformed under coach Jeff Hornacek, but is averaging 21 points in the four games since Hornacek was fired last week.

LAST 10:
Warriors: 10-0. Suns: 1-9.

INJURY REPORT:
Warriors: F James Michael McAdoo (L foot toe sprain) and C Festus Ezeli (L knee surgery) are listed as out.

Suns: G Brandon Knight (L adductor strain), G Ronnie Price (R toe surgery) G Eric Bledsoe (L knee surgery) and F T.J. Warren (R foot fracture) are listed as out.

SERIES HISTORY:
The Warriors have won five in a row – including a pair of double-digit wins earlier this season – and 13 of the last 16.

QUOTABLE:
“It’s not going to be pretty every minute we’re out there. It’s not going to be perfect. We’re not going to blow everybody out. But we strive to be great every night.” – Steph Curry on the team’s nightly mentality.

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