Tue Apr 1 11:01:38 2008

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Warriors take playoff aspirations to San Antonio

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(Sports Network) - The Golden State Warriors are battling to qualify for the Western Conference playoffs, as they visit the red-hot San Antonio Spurs tonight at the AT&T Center.

The Warriors are seeded eighth and sit just a half game ahead of Denver for the final playoff berth in West. They are also a half game behind the seventh- seeded Mavericks.

San Antonio, meanwhile, is tied with New Orleans for the top spot in both the conference standings and Southwest Division.

Golden State plays the first of a critical four-game road trip tonight, and is 20-16 as the visitor this season. The Warriors will also visit Dallas, Memphis and New Orleans on the current swing.

The Warriors attempt to win back-to-back games. Monta Ellis scored 30 points to go along with five assists and four rebounds, as Golden State knocked off the fading Mavericks, 114-104, on Sunday at ORACLE Arena.

San Antonio has won seven in a row. The Spurs ripped off 11 straight wins earlier this season from February 11 to March 6. They will visit the Northwest Division- leading Utah Jazz on Friday at EnergySolutions Arena.

Tony Parker and Michael Finley both scored 22 points, as San Antonio routed the Houston Rockets, 109-88, to keep the winning streak alive on Sunday at the AT&T Center.

Manu Ginobili finished with 14 points, six rebounds and five assists off the bench in the win for San Antonio, while Tim Duncan collected 13 points and six rebounds against Houston.

The Spurs are an impressive 31-6 at home this season. They have won four in a row as the host.

The Warriors are 2-0 against the Spurs this season. This is the final regular- season contest between the squads.

Golden State has lost 19 straight at San Antonio. The last time the Warriors defeated the Spurs on the road was February 14, 1997.