Boston @ Golden State preview

Last Meeting ( Mar 5, 2019 ) Boston 128, Golden State 95

The Boston Celtics earned their ninth consecutive win with a 140-133 triumph over the Washington Wizards on Wednesday and embark on a five-game road trip with some momentum behind them. The Celtics will try to push the win streak to double digits when they visit the Golden State Warriors on Friday.

Boston dropped the season opener 107-93 at Philadelphia but has not fallen since and is showing itself capable of winning with defense in some games and offense when necessary, though the team is hoping the defense becomes the most consistent piece. "We've been a good defensive team all year," Celtics coach Brad Stevens told reporters after watching his team pull out a 140-133 win over the Washington Wizards on Wednesday. "I think this would be more of an anomaly than not, but we'll find out." The Warriors have problems on both ends of the floor and were blown out 120-94 at the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday and own the worst point differential in the Western Conference at minus-10.8. Golden State's latest losing streak hit five in a row with the setback at Los Angeles and the team is allowing an average of 122 points over that span.

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN, NBCS Boston, NBCS Bay Area (Golden State)

ABOUT THE CELTICS (9-1): Boston lost swingman Gordon Hayward for six weeks with a broken hand but hasn't seemed to miss a beat offensively as guards Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart and Kemba Walker are stepping up. Brown is averaging 25.7 points over the last three games while Smart is 12-of-21 from the field in two games since taking over Hayward's spot in the starting lineup. Walker, who leads the team in scoring at an average of 25 points, is 14-of-26 from 3-point range over the last two contests and knocked down multiple 3-pointers in each of the last nine games.

ABOUT THE WARRIORS (2-10): Golden State has two healthy All-Stars in point guard D'Angelo Russell and forward Draymond Green but is still missing key pieces like Stephen Curry (hand), Klay Thompson (knee) and Kevon Looney (hamstring) along with role players like Jacob Evans (adductor) and Damion Lee (hand). Russell is doing his best to shoulder the scoring load and is averaging 34 points over the last four games. Rookie forward Eric Paschall is stepping up as the best of a young group and is putting up 18.8 points over his last six contests.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Green is 6-of-17 from the floor in two games since returning from a finger injury.

2. Celtics C Robert Williams (ankle) sat out Wednesday and is day-to-day.

3. Boston earned a 128-95 win at Golden State last season behind 30 points from Hayward.

PREDICTION: Celtics 122, Warriors 103