NBA 2016-17 Season: 8 must-watch matches you cannot afford to miss

#6 San Antonio Spurs @ Golden State Warriors, 25 October

These two teams are still the cream of the crop in the league

Had the San Antonio Spurs and Golden State Warriors met in the 2016 Playoffs, they would have set the record for a meeting of two teams with the best combined record in the regular season. The Warriors had a historical best 73-9 record and the Spurs had a 67-15 record. As it is, the two teams are probably the top two teams in the Western Conference, and this match could well be a Western Conference Finals preview.

The San Antonio Spurs have just lost their franchise cornerstone as Tim Duncan has retired after devoting 19 seasons to the Almo. One mark of his greatness can be reflected in the shape he's left his franchise in.

When Kobe Bryant retired, the Lakers entered the tanking territory. Same goes for Michael Jordan. But Tim Duncan has been taking pay cuts after pay cuts to enable the Spurs to surround him with talent. The Spurs are still in formidable shape with LaMarcus Aldridge, Kawahi Leonard and the new addition of Pau Gasol. The old guards Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili making a return as well.

The Warriors will field their new signing, Kevin Durant in the first match of the regular season against a formidable opponent. Make no mistake, the first match of these two teams in the regular season is not one to be missed at any costs. It is rare we get to see two such offensively gifted squads go head to head.