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Sunday afternoon on the TD Backyard, the Boston Celtics (47-12, 28-3 house) will welcome the Golden State Warriors (37-27, 16-12 away) for the ultimate recreation of their common season sequence. The Warriors presently lead 1-0. Of their historical past of 349 common season video games towards Golden State, the Celtics maintain a commanding 209-140 document.
Right now’s recreation marks the conclusion of Boston’s brief house stint, with victories over the Mavericks, 76ers, and Knicks.
Though Golden State holds the tenth seed within the Western Convention, this matchup holds important significance for Boston. Past aiming to delay their profitable streak, it’s an opportunity for revenge following the 2022 NBA Finals. At any time when these groups meet in a prime-time showdown, anticipation for an intense contest is assured.
Of their preliminary conflict on December 19, the Warriors secured a 132-126 victory over the Celtics in Golden State, regardless of the absence of Kristaps Porzingis, Derrick White and Jaylen Brown collectively contributed 58 factors for the Celtics.
Boston finally misplaced the sport in time beyond regulation, ending their then five-game profitable streak. Sadly, the Celtics couldn’t seize an important rebound within the closing seconds, resulting in a three-pointer by Steph Curry on the buzzer. Regardless of holding a 17-point lead, Boston couldn’t preserve it, permitting the Warriors to return again and safe the win.
The crew as a complete confronted challenges, taking pictures solely 41.2 % from the sphere and 29.3 % from past the arc. Golden State asserted dominance in rebounds and assists whereas boasting almost a 40 % success charge from three-point vary. Steph Curry and Klay Thompson teamed up for a complete of 57 factors, whereas Draymond Inexperienced was absent attributable to suspension.
Presently on a ten-game profitable streak, the Celtics boast the NBA’s high document. With a outstanding +10 level differential, Boston lately secured a decisive 138-110 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Friday evening.
Main the Cleveland Cavaliers by eight video games, the Celtics preserve the league’s greatest offensive ranking at 121.5 and rank among the many high three defensively. Moreover, they dominate the boards, main the NBA with a mean of 47.1 rebounds per recreation. By means of 59 video games, Joe Mazzullas squad holds a league main plus/minus of +10. Undefeated of their final ten video games, Boston is 14-6 towards Western Convention groups this season.
Starting on Tuesday, Boston faces difficult street matchups subsequent weekend, squaring off towards the Cavaliers, Nuggets, and Suns. Their conflict with Cleveland kicks off a four-game street journey for the Celtics.
With 23 video games remaining within the common season, it’s essential to observe how the Celtics will fare of their upcoming difficult five-game stretch. Golden State, boasting an 8-2 document of their final ten video games, has hit their stride, making it intriguing to see how Boston matches up towards them, significantly with the spectacular efficiency of Steph Curry. As of proper now, Curry is questionable to play.
On this matchup, the return of Draymond Inexperienced to the lineup for Golden State is predicted to have a major influence defensively. Moreover, the potential inclusion of rookie Brandin Podziemski, who’s a game-time determination, might be pivotal if he takes the court docket tonight. Within the earlier recreation towards Boston, Podziemski exited to the locker room through the second half, which might have an effect on his availability and potential influence on this recreation.
Regardless of the Warriors being on a three-game win streak, they are going to be lacking Andrew Wiggins, who has been distinctive during the last ten video games. His absence will seemingly come as a major reduction for Boston, as Wiggins has been taking pictures a formidable 50 % from past the arc throughout this span.
In a approach, I’d wish to see Boston matchup with a totally wholesome Warriors crew, particularly since Mazzulla has been experimenting with Xavier Tillman and totally different combos of rotations. Whereas this will not be attainable, the Celtics solely have so many video games earlier than they play a number of sub-.500 groups on the finish of the yr.
For Golden State, they’re on the final leg of their four-game street journey, after Sunday’s contest, they may host a mini house stand towards the Bucks, Bulls, and Spurs.
Whereas the Celtics have been totally wholesome of their final recreation, Kristaps Porzingis is now listed as a game-time determination attributable to a quad harm sustained towards the Dallas Mavericks. It’s price mentioning that he hasn’t confronted the Warriors this season, and there’s a threat he would possibly miss one other recreation. Whether or not Coach Mazzulla opts to relaxation him or not, the Celtics will prioritize his recreation administration, particularly with the playoffs quickly approaching.
Neemias Queta, who was lately with the Maine Celtics, is listed as out to a hyperextension of his knee.
Possible Celtics Starters
Celtics Common Starters
- PG, #4 : Jrue Vacation
- SG, #9: Derrick White
- SF, #7: Jaylen Brown
- PF, #0: Jayson Tatum
- C: #8: Kristaps Porzingis
Celtics Reserves
- G, #11: Jaden Springer
- G, #50: Svi Mykhailiuk
- G, #11: Payton Pritchard
- G, #27: Jordan Walsh
- G, #20: JD Davidson (2-way participant)
- F, #12: Oshae Brissett
- F, #30: Sam Hauser
- F #26: Xavier Tillman
- F, #13: Drew Peterson (2-way participant)
- F, #42: Al Horford
- C, #40: Luke Kornet
- C, #88: Neemias Queta (2-way participant)
Accidents
- Kristaps Porzingis: day-to day (quad contusion)
- Neemias Queta: OUT (Knee hyperextension)
Boston Celtics Head Coach
Joe Mazzulla
Possible Warriors Starters
Warriors Common Starters
- PG, #30: Steph Curry
- SG, #2: Brandin Podziemski
- SF, #22: Andrew Wiggins
- PF, #00: Jonathan Kuminga
- C: #23: Draymond Inexperienced
Warriors Reserves
- G, #3: Chris Paul
- G, #0: Gary Payton II
- G, #4: Moses Moody
- G, #11: Klay Thompson
- G, #25: Lester Quinones
- G, #18: Jerome Robinson (2-way participant)
- G, #61: Pat Spencer (2- approach participant)
- F, #20: Dario Saric
- F, #12: Usman Garuba (2-way participant)
- F, #5: Kevon Looney
- F, #32: Trayce Jackson-Davis
- F, #15: Gui Santos
Accidents
- Steph Curry: day-to-day (knee bursitis)
- Brandin Podziemski: day-to-day (knee)
- Andrew Wiggins: OUT (private)
- Gui Santos: OUT (knee)
Golden State Warriors Head Coach
Steve Kerr
Keys for a Cs win
House court docket benefit: I say this each time the Celtics are at house. They maintain an NBA greatest 28-3 document at house, and as soon as once more have one other prime matchup on the TD Backyard. Boston has been spectacular at house, averaging 122.8 factors, with a 8-2 document at house. As well as, Boston is taking pictures 49.2 % from the ground, and 39.5 % from deep on the backyard. As soon as once more, the numbers converse for themselves, and they should reap the benefits of their house turf and followers.
Rebounding: The Celtics’ dominance in rebounding is well-known all through the league. Nevertheless, if Porzingis is sidelined, they could face an excellent larger problem. Ought to Curry and Podziemski be unavailable for at the moment’s recreation, the Warriors are prone to deploy Inexperienced on the heart place, choosing a smaller lineup. In such a situation, Boston might want to capitalize on this measurement benefit.
Of their earlier matchup towards Golden State, the Warriors outrebounded the Celtics 59-55 and managed the defensive boards.Over their ten recreation win streak, the inexperienced is averaging over 45 boards per recreation, and 50.8 rebounds of their final six video games on the TD Backyard.
Second probability factors: As talked about beforehand, boxing out and grabbing boards are essential in stopping second probability alternatives. Final matchup, Boston dominated in second probability factors, and it will likely be very important that Al Horford, Tatum and the remainder of the crew steps up if KP is unable to swimsuit up. The Celtics lead the league in 8.0 boxouts, and might want to proceed that this afternoon.
Paint touches: Of their earlier assembly, Boston managed to outscore the Warriors 56-54 within the paint. Even when their pictures aren’t falling, the Celtics have proven resilience by discovering different pathways to victory, usually by robust inside play. Of their current matchup towards the Mavericks, Boston scored a whopping 62 factors within the paint, underscoring the significance of their inside presence in securing the win.
Protection: Protection wins championships and video games. Mazzulla and the Celtics pleasure themselves on protection, and that’s why they’re a high 5 crew in that class. During the last ten video games, they’re holding opponents to only 106.2 factors per recreation, and have to have that mindset heading into this matchup. Of their final assembly, they allowed the Warriors to shot over 40 % from the ground and past the perimeter, and couldn’t match them. Limiting factors off turnovers, and locking up Curry might be key.
Gamers to look at:
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Photograph by Stacy Revere/Getty Photos
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Photograph by Cole Burston/Getty Photos
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Photograph by Ezra Shaw/Getty Photos
Steph Curry (Golden State Warriors): Though he’s listed as questionable for at the moment’s matchup, he’s enjoying unimaginable basketball this season, particularly towards the Celtics. In a single recreation towards Boston, he cooked up for 33 factors, and 6 assists, on 54.4 % three-point taking pictures, and 52.4 % from the ground. If he’s in a position to swimsuit up, it’s going to be troublesome to include Curry.
Jaylen Brown (Boston Celtics): Jaylen Brown has been enjoying unimaginable basketball this season, and will have a good matchup, particularly if Curry and Podiemski are unable to play. In a single matchup towards the Warriors, he poured in 28 factors, 7 assists, and eight rebounds, on 45.5 % area objective taking pictures. If Porzingis is out as effectively, count on Brown to be energetic on the rebounds as effectively.
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