Golden State @ Phoenix preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 1, 2018 ) Phoenix 107, Golden State 117

The Golden State Warriors will begin the playoffs at home but finish their regular season with two games on the road, beginning with Sunday's matchup against the Phoenix Suns. The Warriors, who rank second in the Western Conference, have lost two in a row and nine of their last 15 after falling 126-120 to New Orleans in their home finale on Saturday.

Golden State's last six opponents have scored an average of 116.5 points, and the team's current slide ensures that it will not reach the 60-win mark for the first time since 2014. "We're just going to keep going," Warriors coach Steve Kerr told reporters. "We're gonna have new life when the playoffs begin and I'm well aware what a long, difficult season it's been. So many things have been thrown at us in the last month, especially our injuries." The Suns snapped a franchise-record 15-game skid against Sacramento to open their homestand before falling 122-103 to New Orleans on Friday. Golden State has won each of its last 14 meetings with Phoenix, including the first three this season by an average of 23 points.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, NBCS Bay Area (Golden State), FS Arizona (Phoenix)

ABOUT THE WARRIORS (57-23): Kevin Durant led five starters in double figures with 41 points against the Pelicans, while five reserves combined for just 19. Quinn Cook made 5-of-7 3-pointers en route to 21 points for Golden State, which finishes the regular season at Utah on Tuesday. Durant collected 29 points and 11 rebounds while teammate Klay Thompson scored 23 points in the 117-107 win over Phoenix at home earlier this month.

ABOUT THE SUNS (20-60): Rookie Josh Jackson continued his solid stretch run with 22 points and 11 rebounds in the loss to the Pelicans, and he's showing his maturity. "Just wanting to learn every game," Jackson told reporters. "I've come a long way, I think, and I just owe it to being a student of the game and wanting to become better." Phoenix continues to operate without leading scorer Devin Booker, who is expected to miss his 11th straight game due to a hand injury.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Warriors SF Andre Iguodala (knee) returned from a four-game absence to contribute four points and five assists in 22 minutes off the bench against the Pelicans.

2. Suns PF Marquese Chriss reportedly is questionable due to hip pain.

3. Golden State has captured each of the last six meetings in Phoenix.

PREDICTION: Warriors 108, Suns 103