Warriors’ 38-game home streak on line

OAKLAND, Calif. — Even with that NBA-record 24-0 start, Stephen Curry and Co. can’t shake the San Antonio Spurs.

Now the defending champion Golden State Warriors finally get to face the team chasing them in the Western Conference in a Monday night showdown anticipated for months pitting the past two NBA title teams.

“That’s going to be one of the fun things about this game is that we haven’t played them yet. It’s already almost February. It’s a strange schedule,” Golden State coach Steve Kerr said after practice Sunday. “Win or lose, both teams will really benefit from playing against each other.”

Pals Kerr and Gregg Popovich spoke by phone Thursday night once Kerr’s return from a lengthy leave of absence following back surgery had been set, and just in time to face mentor Popovich and San Antonio.

They will get their greetings, handshakes and hugs, then coach on opposite sidelines in what could be one of the most entertaining games yet this season. San Antonio is riding a 13-game winning streak coming into Oracle Arena, where the Warriors are determined to extend their 38-game regular-season home winning streak dating to late last January that includes a 20-0 mark this season.

“There’s no doubt that players will look at it like more than that [just a game],” Popovich said. “They can’t help it. They’ll be playing the best team in the league, and they’ll be fired up about that.”

Kerr played four of his final five seasons with San Antonio. He will be fired up for this one, too — especially given his respect for what the organization has done in two decades of dominance. San Antonio (38-6), which will be without Tim Duncan tonight because of a sore right knee, trails the Warriors by two games.