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Spurs-Suns Preview

Jan 20, 2016 - 11:50 PM The matchup everyone is looking forward to awaits San Antonio at the end of its three-game road swing. The Spurs, however, insist they're only focused on the opponent directly in front of them.

San Antonio will be missing its star point guard Thursday night, though it has been the team's defensive effort that has made life miserable for the Phoenix Suns.

With Tony Parker out, the Spurs look to keep pace with league-best Golden State - as well as the best start in franchise history - by extending their winning streak to 12.

After winning their 33rd straight home game - 112-83 over Dallas on Sunday - San Antonio will take on the Suns and Los Angeles Lakers before Monday's highly anticipated matchup with the Warriors.

The Spurs (36-6) have moved within a couple of games of Golden State while winning their last 11 by an average of 17.5 points. However, they aren't ready to think about their looming showdown as they look to match the 2010-11 team for the best 43-game start in franchise history.

"We're taking it one game at a time. Golden State is not our next game, so we don't worry about what other teams are doing," guard Danny Green said. "Right now, we have to worry about Phoenix."

San Antonio has won 17 of the past 21 meetings with the Suns, but will be short-handed after Parker left Sunday's game due to hip soreness. It's the same injury that forced him to miss two games earlier this month.

Parker had given a spark by totaling 55 points in his previous two games

The Spurs, who allow an NBA-low 89.6 points per game, hope to keep locking down defensively against Phoenix after limiting Dallas to a season-low 35.8 percent shooting.

Kawhi Leonard had 24 points, 13 rebounds and helped San Antonio hold the Suns to a then-season-low point total in a 112-79 win Dec. 30. The Spurs had limited Phoenix to its previous low in a 98-84 victory Nov. 23.

"There are always things we can do better offensively and defensively," Green said. "We can be more consistent and try to do it every play."

The Suns needed a 33-point fourth-quarter outburst Feb. 28 to avoid setting the franchise record for fewest points in a 101-74 loss to San Antonio in the most recent meeting in Phoenix. However, they did set the team mark with 24 first-half points.

San Antonio's LaMarcus Aldridge, who had 23 points Sunday, did not play in the first meeting but finished with 21 and 12 rebounds in December.

That matchup was part of a tailspin in which Phoenix (13-30) has averaged 96.6 points on 42.5 percent shooting while dropping 14 of 15. The banged-up Suns shot a season-low 34.6 percent in their fifth straight loss Tuesday, 97-94 to visiting Indiana.

Markieff Morris is questionable after suffering a strained shoulder, while Mirza Teletovic is uncertain due to a sprained ankle. T.J. Warren (knee) and Jon Leuer (back) might also be sidelined.

''There's no excuse," forward P.J. Tucker said. "We've got five guys that can play, we've got to out and play together and play hard.''

Rookie Devin Booker shined with a season-high 32 points, becoming the third-youngest player (19 years, 81 days) in NBA history to record a 30-point game. He's averaged 16.9 points over his last eight.