The San Antonio Spurs have clinched the league's best record and will have the homecourt advantage throughout the rest of the playoffs after beating the Phoenix Suns, 112-104, on Friday night.
While the Spurs have said all along that they are not gunning for the top record in the league, it should be noted that the team lost a decisive Game 7 on the road to the Miami Heat in last year's NBA Finals. Homecourt advantage, thus, can spell the difference between a championship and playoff failure.
Danny Green, who led the Spurs rally to overcome a 21-point deficit against the Suns, told the Associated Press via Yahoo! Sports regarding the top seed: ''It's a big plus. It's not something we were focused on, but we know it will help us. We'll be at home for most of the playoffs. The biggest thing for us is to stay healthy and to build chemistry. Winning games in the process helps and we get home-court advantage. That's just the extra bonus for us.''
The Spurs last had the NBA's best record during the 2002-03 season, the season which they ousted the Los Angeles Lakers who were then gunning for a rare four-peat. By achieving their 62nd win of the season, the team also tied the second-highest win total in franchise history.
"It's always nice to have [of the homecourt advantage]," star Tony Parker told Spurs Nation. "We're not going to do everything to get it, but now that we have it, it's a good thing. We know it doesn't guarantee anything in the playoffs. You still have to win on the road. We have enough experience on this team to understand that having the best record doesn't mean anything. It doesn't guarantee you a championship."
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