Preview: Celtics Visit Warriors in Key NBA Showdown SAN FRANCISCO (Interstat) — The surging Boston Celtics, led by a red-hot Payton Pritchard, will face a Golden State Warriors team seeking stability when the teams meet Thursday night at Chase Center. The Celtics (35-19) enter on a strong run, having won seven of their last 10 games. They are coming off a dominant 124-105 victory over Chicago on Feb. 11, where Pritchard posted 26 points and eight assists. Boston has been installed as a 3.5-point road favorite, with the over/under set at 223.5 points. Pritchard has been a driving force for Boston, averaging 21.2 points and 6.2 assists over his last 10 contests. He has scored 24 or more points in five of those games, including a 29-point, eight-assist performance against Sacramento on Jan. 30. His backcourt play will be critical against a Warriors defense that has struggled recently. The Warriors (29-26) have lost three of their last four, including a 126-113 home loss to San Antonio on Feb. 11. In that game, veteran forward Draymond Green tallied 17 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists. Green’s all-around production remains vital for Golden State; he nearly recorded a triple-double in that loss and had 15 points, seven rebounds and seven assists in a Jan. 30 defeat to Detroit. Golden State’s form has been inconsistent, alternating wins and losses over its past eight games. Defense has been an issue, as the team has allowed an average of 119.6 points during that stretch. Containing Pritchard and a balanced Celtics attack that also features Nikola Vucevic and Jordan Walsh will be a primary challenge. Boston holds a significant edge in the standings, sitting six games above .500 on the road (15-9). Golden State is just three games above .500 at home (16-13). The Celtics also boast a superior net rating, reflecting their status as one of the Eastern Conference’s top teams. This matchup begins a challenging three-game road trip for Boston, which visits the Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns and Denver Nuggets following this contest. For Golden State, it starts a crucial homestand before a lengthy road trip in early March. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. PST. The game will be televised nationally on TNT.