Celtics vs Warriors has been must watch
The Golden State Warriors still have the mystique of the championship teams on years past. The team has struggled since winning the the NBA title over the Boston Celtics in 2021-2022. They still have Steph Curry, Draymond Green and Andrew Wiggins. But a new cast of players has the team off to a 6-1 start and have won 4 games in a row. The main storyline will be Jayson Tatum hosting Steve Kerr, the coach that sat in during the Olympics and part of the chip that is on Tatum’s shoulder. But let’s not look past that these are two of the best teams in the NBA to start the regular season. And the Celtics are looking to repeat as champions, the last team to do so was Golden State.
The Celtics and the Warriors tend to bring out the best in each other. They have split their regular-season matchups in each of the last three seasons. Two of the last four matchups have gone to overtime. Let’s not forget the 52-point thrashing by the Celtics last year in Boston. Jaylen Brown had 29 points in that win but miss his third straight game with a hip flexor injury. Mix in their NBA Finals matchup two postseasons ago, the Celtics and the Warriors have always been must watch. This matchup also features two of the league’s best 3-point shooting teams against each other. Boston averages 19 (1st) makes per game while the Warriors average 16.4 (2nd). Boston edges Golden State in terms of volume, taking 50.9 attempts from 3 compared to the Warriors’ 42.0, per Team Rankings via the Action Network.
The new look Warriors have done well in free agency and in the draft. Trayce Jackson-Davis has been good defensively and had key block late in the game in last years matchup. Brandin Podziemski has made strides following his rookie year while Jonathan Kuminga has been a main stay off the bench. Speaking of the bench, Buddy Hield has been an incredible addition especially from beyond the arc. He has 33 made 3s – tied for 2nd in the NBA with Tatum .He is shooting 33-66 (50%) from downtown and has 24 catch and shoot made 3s – 1st in the NBA. Shooting 24 for 41 (58.5%) and another candidate for the sixth man of the year award. Speaking of that, Peyton Pritchard has shot 30-67 from three (44.8%).
With the spread at 6 and the total at 230 I see a lower scoring game. The Warriors are a much improved defensive team this year, especially in the first half giving up an average of 47 points. Tatum is the top scorer in the first quarter this season. Without Brown I think both teams play a tighter game tonight.
Warriors vs. Celtics Starting Lineups
Warriors Starting Lineup
PG: Stephen Curry
SG: Gary Payton II
SF: Andrew Wiggins
PF: Draymond Green
C: Trayce Jackson-Davis
Celtics Starting Lineup
PG: Derrick White
SG: Jrue Holiday
SF: Jayson Tatum
PF: Al Horford
C: Neemias Queta
