https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/warriors/article/Western-Conference-finals-preview-Warriors-say-16660768.php

PHOENIX — The Suns had just wrapped up a thrilling road win over Eastern Conference-leading Brooklyn on Saturday, and they were already answering questions about the Warriors.

The Warriors still were digesting an emotional victory over the Western Conference finalist Clippers on Sunday, when they started talking about the Suns.

If the galactic matchup between the league’s two best teams was already the center of the NBA’s attention this weekend, it’s incredible to think of the levels of fervor that will be multiplied by the time the game actually tips off Tuesday.

“No. 1, it’s going to be a very physical matchup,” Warriors power forward Draymond Green said. “It’s highly anticipated. It’s two teams that are playing well. They’ve won 16 in a row. You want to be the team that goes and stops that, and you’ve got a great opportunity to do it. … Nobody is going to just walk in there and walk out with a win. You’ve got to earn it and take the win.”

Few opponents have walked, jogged or sprinted to a win against the Warriors (18-2) or Suns (17-3) this season as they’ve vaulted atop the NBA standings. This is the first time in league history that two teams from the same division will play each other with winning percentages of .850 or better at least 20 games into a season.

Here's a look at how the Warriors (18-2) and Suns (17-3) stack up heading into Tuesday's anticipated showdown:

Warriors

Suns

Scoring

Second, 114.0

Third, 112.6

Field-goal percentage

Second, 47.9

First, 48.1

Assists per game

First, 29.3

Fourth, 26.3

Defensive rating

First, 99.4

Third, 103.7

Point differential

First, plus-13.6

Third, plus-7.5

The last time two teams with an .850 winning percentage or better faced each other this far into season was nearly two years ago when Milwaukee hosted the Lakers on Dec. 19, 2019. The Lakers won the NBA championship in 2020, and the Bucks ended their title drought in 2021.

Obviously, the Warriors and Suns can’t both win the Larry O’Brien Trophy with an NBA title this season, but they’re playing like they’re providing a preview of the Western Conference finals. The Warriors are on a seven-game winning streak, their second such run this season. The Suns have won 16 in a row, one game off the franchise record (set in 2006-07).

This will mark the sixth time in franchise history that the Warriors have faced an opponent with a 16-game winning streak or better. The lone time the Warriors halted such a winning stretch was on March 12, 2007, when they ended Dallas’ 17-game run.

“It’s early in the season. We all know that, but it’s a good measuring-stick game against a team that’s won 16 in a row and that was in the NBA Finals last year,” Warriors point guard Stephen Curry said. “They have confidence in who they are. They have an identity of how to win games. It’s going to be a good test for us.

“Hopefully, we’re ready for it.”

Although they’ve gone about it different ways, the Warriors and Suns have seemingly been up for every challenge this season.

Led by Curry, who is tied with Kevin Durant for the scoring title at 28.6 points per game, the Warriors spread the floor with capable shooters and playmakers. Taking advantage of Green’s passing and vision and opponents’ focus on Curry, the Warriors lead the NBA in assists (29.3 per game) and are second in scoring (114) and field-goal percentage (47.9%).

That gets most of the attention, but the Warriors also have the league’s top-rated defense (99.4 points per 100 possessions). Their ability to switch like-sized players and show different looks will be key against a Phoenix offense that runs almost everything through guards Chris Paul and Devin Booker.

Paul is leading the league in assists at 10.1 per game, and he commits just 2.3 turnovers per game; no one else among the league’s top 25 playmakers commits fewer. Booker scores a team-leading 23.9 points per game and has established his superstardom after last season’s NBA Finals run followed up by his Tokyo Olympics play. Put together, that type of backcourt opens the floor for Phoenix’s shooters and rim-running.

While the Warriors won’t have a player taller than 6-foot-10 until 7-footer James Wiseman returns from meniscus surgery, the Suns have two of the NBA’s most athletic big men in Deandre Ayton and JaVale McGee. McGee is shooting 66.2%, Ayton 64.1%.

“I’m looking forward to it, man,” Booker said. “Obviously, it’s not a make-it-or-break-it game. It’s not a playoff game, but we know it’s going to be high energy. It’s the two best records in the league, and it’s going to be a high-intensity, fun game.”

So much fun that they’ll do it again Friday and on Christmas — and quite possibly as many as seven more times in the Western Conference finals.