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Boston Celtics bid to extend winning streak against Golden State Warriors

Watch the Celtics take on the Warriors in the early hours of Saturday morning (3:30am), live on Sky Sports Arena

Kemba Walker salutes fans of his former team the Charlotte Hornets
Image: Kemba Walker salutes fans of his former team the Charlotte Hornets

The rolling Boston Celtics will play the ailing Golden State Warriors, pitting the teams with the best and worst records in the NBA against each other.

Live NBA: Boston @ Golden State

Led by newly acquired point guard Kemba Walker (25.0 PPG), the Celtics have won nine in a row and look to continue their hot streak against the injury-ravaged Warriors.

The defending Western Conference champions will again operate without Stephen Curry (left hand fracture), Klay Thompson (left ACL rehab) and Kevon Looney (neuropathy), while the Celtics lost Gordon Hayward to a broken hand sustained on Saturday. The former All Star is expected to be sidelined for six weeks.

Jayson Tatum raises up for a jump shot against the Hornets
Image: Jayson Tatum raises up for a jump shot against the Hornets

The Celtics are coming off a 140-point outburst against the Washington Wizards, their highest point total in 27 years. Boston posted a balanced attack that featured 25 points from Walker, 23 from Jayson Tatum, 22 from Jaylen Brown and 18 from rookie Carsen Edwards.

The Warriors slumped to a 120-94 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in their last outing, despite keeping the game close in the first half. The undermanned Warriors were led by 21 points and eight assists from point guard D'Angelo Russell, who has assumed team leadership duties alongside veteran Draymond Green.

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Celtics @ Kings free on Sky Sports

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The Warriors and Celtics have split their season series dating back to the 2015-16 season. Last season each team claimed a victory on the other's home court.

Last time out

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Highlights of the Boston Celtics' 140-133 road win over the Washington Wizards

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Highlights of Golden State's 120-94 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers

Numbers game

Boston lead the league in offensive rating, averaging 116.1 points per game (seventh highest in the NBA). They field three players averaging close to or over 20 points per game.

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The team leader in scoring is Walker (4.4 made treys), while Brown (20.1 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists) and Tatum (19.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 2.5 assists) are averaging career highs in scoring.

The Celtics also rank sixth in the league in blocks per game (6.5).

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NBA Saturday Primetime on Sky Sports

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The Warriors defensive rating (117.5) is on pace to rank as one of the worst in league history, according to Basketball Reference.

Green is working his way back into the Warriors' line-up after an injury and suspension sidelined him for five games. In 28 minutes against the Lakers, Green posted just 10 points and one rebound, following a four-point, seven-rebound effort against the Utah Jazz.

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Rookie Jordan Poole has been struggling offensively, averaging 9.8 points on just 28 per cent shooting from the floor.

One to watch (Celtics): Marcus Smart

Marcus Smart is guarded by Tobias Harris
Image: Marcus Smart is guarded by Tobias Harris

The Celtics' Marcus Smart has picked up minutes from the injured Hayward, and is coming off back-to-back 17-point outings with four treys made in each game.

Ones to watch (Warriors): Eric Paschall

Eric Paschall of the Golden State Warriors drives to the basket against the Charlotte Hornets
Image: Eric Paschall of the Golden State Warriors drives to the basket against the Charlotte Hornets

Warriors rookie Eric Paschall played the final two minutes of the third quarter against the Lakers, and confidently scored in a one-on-one drive against LeBron James.

In the last 10 days, Paschall has been aggressive with defenders including Utah's Rudy Gobert and Minnesota's Robert Covington.

Paschall said of his mindset: "I just can't be scared...That's one thing I always try to do is be aggressive."

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