The Warriors are in cruise control right now. After defeating Toronto, 127-121, on Wednesday, the Warriors extended their win streak to five games. The second leg of their four-game road trip happens this Friday at Boston, where they are 3-0 SU and 1-1-1 ATS in their past three trips there.
Steph Curry and Kevin Durant did most of the work for the Warriors against Toronto, as they scored 35 and 30, respectively. Klay Thompson, meanwhile, played the role of the third banana with 15 points.
With the Celtics still missing the services of Al Horford and Jae Crowder, who could have been a decent defensive piece for Boston to put on Durant, expect No. 35 to have his way again on the floor. Durant and Curry lead the Dubs in scoring with both having identical averages of 27.9 PPG.
With so many shooters on the team, the Warriors are able to create gaps on their opponents’ defense, as evidenced by the 47.4 points in paint they generate per contest.
Boston was among the few teams last season that beat the Warriors in the regular season. Coach Brad Stevens eyes to guide his team into doing the same this Friday when they the Celtics host Steph Curry and company at TD Garden.
The Celtics are coming off a 90-83 win on Wednesday against the rapidly sinking Mavericks. Golden State represents a big step up in competition level so Stevens will demand even better performance from his team. Take for example Isaiah Thomas, who led all scorers in the Dallas game with 30 markers.
Thomas’ backcourt partnership with Avery Bradley would be crucial against Golden State as the duo will look to match whatever production Curry and Thompson will manufacture. Bradley, who scored 18 points against the Mavs, is averaging 18.5 PPG 3.4 APG, and 8.7 RPG.
Thomas lit up the Warriors for 22 points on 9-for-20 shooting from the field in last season’s 109-106 win at Oracle Arena back in April 1.
Boston appears to have the defense to slowdown the Warriors’ open-court game. The team allows just 10.0 fastbreak points per game. On the flipside, Golden State is scoring 20.7 PPG off fastbreak opportunities.
