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Spurs aim to continue dominance over Warriors

Mar 21, 2011 - 3:04 PM (Sports Network) - Before the NBA-best San Antonio Spurs depart the Alamo City for three games they will try for their 12th consecutive win over the Golden State Warriors in tonight's matchup from the AT&T Center.

The Spurs have won the first three meetings with the Warriors this season and are aiming for a third series sweep in a row. Golden State is most likely not looking forward to playing in San Antonio, a place where it has dropped 25 straight games and hasn't won in since Feb. 14, 1997.

San Antonio is coming off a 109-98 home win over the Charlotte Bobcats as its bench scored 66 points with Steve Novak leading the way with 19 points. Tiago Splitter filled in for a resting Tim Duncan and posted eight points and six rebounds for the Spurs, winners in two straight and five of six games. The Spurs also buried 17-of-34 three-pointers, setting a team record.

"He (Tiago Splitter) played very well," said Spurs guard Tony Parker, who chipped in nine points and nine assists. "He played very physical, rolling to the basket and finding shooters and Steve Novak played very well. The ball movement was great."

Gary Neal added 15 points, George Hill scored 12 and Manu Ginobili led the starters with 11 points in a winning effort. The Spurs are a dominant 32-3 at home this season, matching the best home start in team history set by the 2004-05 squad. That team had a franchise-best 38-3 home record. There are four teams that have posted a 38-3 home mark, most recently the 1995-96 Jazz.

The top-seeded and Southwest Division-leading Spurs will begin a three-game trek through Denver, Portland and Memphis after this evening's home tilt with Golden State. Forward DeJuan Blair (wrist) is probable for Monday's game.

Meanwhile, the Warriors have lost four in a row on the road and four straight overall, including Sunday's 101-73 setback in Dallas. Warriors leading scorer Monta Ellis was held to 18 points and Stephen Current scored 11 for Golden State, which is 0-2 on a four-game road trip.

"It was just an off night for guys. Guys couldn't find their shot," said Warriors forward Dorell Wright, who scored six points on 2-of-8 shooting.

Golden State fell to 9-26 away from Oakland and still has a trip to Houston remaining on the current trek. It is eight games off the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference with 12 games to play.