#3-and-d-guard

#3-and-d-guard

In games this season they were favored by 11.5 points or more, the Celtics have a 6-3 record against the spread. When they have played as at least 11.5-point underdogs this year, the Warriors are 2-2 against the spread.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had scored 20 or more points in 124 consecutive games, just two off tying the NBA standard set by former Warrior Wilt Chamberlain in 1963. If one takes a quick flip through the NBA record book, they have a high probability of encountering Chamberlain's name, regardless of which page they land upon. So anytime a player is in position to usurp one of the former Warrior's records from the league's early days, it is worthy of note.

It's always a special atmosphere when these two teams meet, but tonight's game at Chase Center feels particularly heavy for both sides. The Celtics are coming into the second half of the season looking like a legitimate juggernaut, holding onto the second seed in the East despite the massive hole left by Jayson Tatum's absence. Jaylen Brown has stepped into that primary role and has been one of the season's best storylines. He's playing with a level of aggression and efficiency that has completely shifted the ceiling for this Boston squad.