Good luck getting tickets to Golden State Warriors

So how exactly can the Celtics stop them – or at least slow them down? Curry is still only playing 34.4 minutes, meaning he gets at least a full quarter of rest per game. And while the players have tried to be even-keeled and nearly subdued in their approach to this game, they have to play with great emotion and passion.

Injury report: The Celtics will be without Marcus Smart, who is out with a knee injury. “And that’s not talking bad, that’s just being honest”. Their defensive prowess has a chance to contain Curry and company offensively, and if Thomas can get hot, anything can happen. Losing Barnes was huge, but the Warriors managed to hang on without him. But Boston does have a few strengths it could utilize to keep things close. They almost beat the eventual champs twice with some gritty efforts on defense.

Bottom line: The Celtics have the tools to upset the league’s super team, it’s just a matter of putting it all together. If the Celtics can force Golden State to commit 19-21, they will be in good shape.

The Celtics may not be caught up in the hype and may be approaching this like any other game, but they will certainly have to raise the bar because this is unlike any other challenge they have faced this season. And there’s a reason Jae Crowder received a five-year deal after last season, with the C’s hoping he can make life hard on players like Green.

After 10 season home games, Golden State are selling out the Oracle Arena in Oakland in the majority of their matches, while still attracting 98.8 per cent capacity crowds in their 13 season games on the road. That would assure a 40-60 point night from Golden State’s scoring assassin, and probably mean the Celtics will find themselves in double digit hole early on.

Exacerbating the situation is the Warriors are also without their other starting wing, Harrison Barnes, though they still have Andre Iguodala, last year’s Finals MVP, coming off the bench.

Not only are the Warriors undefeated this season, going back to last season they have won 27 straight games, just six wins away from the Lakers record of 33 straight.

Offensively, I’d expect the Celtics to be as aggressive as they were against the Bulls on Wednesday night.