Game Preview: Warriors vs. Celtics - 11/15/19

The Warriors return home from their one-game road trip to host the Boston Celtics in their only visit to Chase Center this season. After dropping their first contest of the season to the Philadelphia 76ers, the Celtics have won nine consecutive games and are the No. 1 team in the NBA at 9-1 (.900). These squads split their two-game series last season with each team claiming a victory on the other’s home court, continuing the trend in which the Dubs and Celtics have split their season series dating back to the 2015-16 season.

Be ready to celebrate Authentic Fan Friday on Warriors Ground! NBC Sports Bay Area will provide cheer cards for the first 10,000 fans in attendance at Chase Center. This night will also mark the first time the Dubs wear their “The City” Classic Edition jersey at home; the iconic look was originally created by past franchise owner Frank Mieuli in 1966-67 featuring the iconic Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco cable car designs. Plus, all fans in attendance will receive a Warriors splash towel, courtesy of State Farm.

LAST GAME OUT
Even after a torrid start by the Lakers in which they shot 72.7 percent from the floor, the Dubs stayed on the heals of their Southern California rivals through the first half. But L.A. broke the game open in the second half to hand the Warriors a 120-94 loss. Game Recap

LAST GAME'S STARTERS
GSW: D'Angelo Russell, Jordan Poole, Glenn Robinson III, Draymond Green and Willie Cauley-Stein
BOS: Kemba Walker, Marcus Smart, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, and Enes Kanter

INJURY & ROSTER NOTES
GSW: Stephen Curry (left hand fracture), Damion Lee (right hand fracture), Jacob Evans (left abductor strain), Kevon Looney (neuropathy), Alen Smailagić (right ankle sprain) and Klay Thompson (left ACL rehab) are out. Team Notes
BOS: Robert Williams III (ankle) and Daniel Thies (finger) are questionable. Gordon Hayward (left hand fracture) is out. Team Notes

PASCHALL KNOWS NO FEAR
Though Wednesday night marked just the eleventh game for Warriors rookie Eric Paschall, he put his confidence on full display in a play in the final two minutes of the third quarter when he scored on four-time NBA Most Valuable Player LeBron James. The play developed at the top of the right side of the three-point line where, after a two quick crossovers, Paschall drove towards the bucket with James in front of him. Paschall pushed James to the rim where he then made a left-handed finish to score two points. “I feel like I just made a good move,” said Paschall after the game. But this was not his first time accepting a challenge from veterans either. 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.”

BOSTON SCOUTING REPORT
Boston’s early season success has spurred from their offense: they lead the league in offensive rating and average 116.1 points per game (seventh highest in the NBA). Though the team recently lost Gordon Hayward to a fractured left hand Saturday after a hot start to the season, they still enter Friday’s contest with three active players averaging close to or over 20 points per game. The team leader in scoring is Kemba Walker (25.0 points on 4.4 made treys), who was acquired via an offseason trade that sent Terry Rozier to the Charlotte Hornets. Besides Jaylen Brown (20.1 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists) and Jayson Tatum (19.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 2.5 assists) averaging career highs in scoring to round-out Boston’s top threats on offense, their nightly output on rebounds and assists are new career marks as well. Filling-in for Hayward has been Marcus Smart, and he will be someone to beware of as he is coming off back-to-back 17-point outings with four treys made in each game. And though the team may have a number of ways to score both inside and outside, they are also a good shot blocking team, ranking sixth in the league in blocks per game (6.5).