League-Leading Warriors Try To Solve Celtics

Fresh off breaking the NBA’s all-time record for three-pointers, Steph Curry and the Warriors (23-5 SU, 18-9-1 ATS) are favored to earn another victory in Boston. However, the Celtics (14-14, 14-14) are 7-1 SU in their last eight at TD Garden and have won each of their last five meetings with Golden State.

Sportsbook Odds Analysis

It’s not often that you see the Celtics catching more than 3 points on their home floor. Boston won outright as a 1-point home dog Monday against Milwaukee, the first time the Celts have been an underdog at TD Garden this year. Early betting action supported the UNDER, dropping the total a point to 214 by Friday morning.

Golden State News & Notes

We could see a more relaxed Steph Curry tonight after the Golden State sharpshooter finally broke Ray Allen’s NBA record for most career three-pointers in Tuesday’s 105-96 win at New York. Curry has struggled from behind the arc recently, hitting 14 of 46 attempts in the three games leading up to the Knicks contest.

“I think he’s been trying a little too hard the last few games, just trying to make threes and get to this record,” coach Steve Kerr told the Associated Press prior to Tuesday’s matchup. “It’ll be a big relief for him, I think, and for our team when he does break it.”

The Dubs could use a hot stretch from Curry to get their offense back on track. Although Golden State is 7-3 SU and 5-5 ATS in its last 10 games, the Warriors have ranked 19th in the NBA in offensive rating during that span — a big drop from their second overall rating before Thanksgiving. Golden State has scored 107 points or less in four straight games and in six of nine, and it has gone UNDER the total in nine of its last 11.

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Boston News & Notes

After getting called out by head coach Ime Udoka for poor defensive effort during an ugly 1-4 western road trip, the Celtics responded Monday with a 117-103 victory over the Bucks at TD Garden.

“He didn’t let anybody off the hook,” forward Grant Williams told the Boston Herald about Udoka’s animated film session. “We all respect and love that.”

A season-high 42 points from Jayson Tatum also helped the Celtics’ cause, as did Jaylen Brown’s return from a hamstring injury that had sidelined him for Boston’s previous five games. Brown scored 19 points in 30 minutes and has had three days to rest since Monday’s contest, so he might be able to see more floor time against Golden State.

If recent history is any indication, the rest of the Celtics could benefit from the extra time off as well. Boston has excelled lately when playing with three or more days’ rest, going 20-9-1 ATS in its last 30 games in that situation.

How Golden State Will Win

Now that the media attention of Curry’s three-point record is dying down, he and the Warriors can focus on getting back on track offensively. Golden State has a good opportunity to do that against a Boston defense that has allowed five of its last six opponents to score 111 points or more.

How Boston Will Win

The Celtics have been a completely different team lately at home, where they’ve won seven of their last eight, including a pair of wins over the Bucks. They’ve also matched up well recently against Golden State, winning each of the last five meetings.

Computer Pick: Warriors -3.5

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