Programming note: Warriors-Celtics coverage starts today at 4 p.m. on NBC Sports Bay Area and streaming live right here
They're the hottest teams in the NBA and they own the best records in their respective conferences, and that explains why TD Garden will be white-hot with intensity when the Warriors and Celtics meet on Thursday.
Coverage on NBC Sports Bay Area begins at 4 p.m., with tipoff scheduled for 5:05.
The Warriors (11-3) have won seven in a row as they begin a four-game road trip on the East Coast. A bruised thigh kept Stephen Curry out of the game against Orlando on Monday night, but practiced Wednesday and is expected to rejoin the lineup.
Though the Celtics (13-2) underwent a roster makeover in the offseason and opened the season by losing their first two games, they have not lost since and will bring a 13-game win streak into the game.
BETTING LINE
Warriors by 7.5
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MATCHUP TO WATCH
Stephen Curry vs. Kyrie Irving: Arguably the two best floor leaders in the NBA today, with Curry leading the championship race 2-1 and the MVP race 2-0. Curry has the benefit of superior scorers, notably Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson, to ride with. With Hayward out, Irving absolutely has to get buckets. This is a classic duel, even when they don't always guard each other, and they'll spend a lot of time on each other in this game. Beware of the close game, for Irving is a fantastic closer.
INJURY REPORT
Warriors: G Stephen Curry (R thigh bruise) is listed as probable but expected to play. C Damian Jones is on assignment with the G-League Santa Cruz Warriors.
Celtics: F Gordon Hayward (L ankle fracture) is listed as out.
GAME OFFICIALS
James Capers (crew chief), Tyler Ford and Pat Fraher.
SERIES HISTORY
The teams have split two games in each of the past two seasons, with each winning on the other's court. The Warriors have won seven of the last 10 meetings overall, including the last four in Boston. Their last loss at TD Garden was on March 1, 2013.
THREE THINGS TO WATCH
IMMOVABLE VS. IRRESISTIBLE: The Warriors lead the league in scoring, 119 points per game, and offensive rating at 116.1. The Celtics allow a league-low 94.5ppg and own a league-best 95.8 defensive rating. Boston's length (four of the top six players have 7-foot wingspans) and switching ability stifles opposing offenses, which is how it has the league's best record despite its 26th-best field-goal percentage. Can the Warriors create holes? Don't be surprised if there's more pick-and-roll than usual.
THE VERSATILE FOURS: Draymond Green of the Warriors and Al Horford of the Celtics are power forwards who sometimes masquerade as centers. They're superb defenders, capable of guarding multiple positions. They can score inside and out; Horford is shooting 48.8 percent from deep, Green 38.3. Green will be the primary defender on Horford, but expect Horford to split time defending Green and Durant.
THE BENCH WAR: Warriors reserves are shooting a league-best 54.2 percent, while Boston is firing at a league-worst 35.9 percent. Worse, Boston's bench is shooting 29.2 percent beyond the arc to 35.7 for the Warriors. Unless the Celtics work some magic with rotations, their second unit is in danger of being scorched by the deeper Warriors.
