The Boston Celtics and the Golden State Warriors meet for the first time this season. Will Boston score a win in the Bay Area? Or, will the Warriors kick off their post-All-Star break journey with a victory?
Catch this game live on Friday, February 20, 2026, at 11:00 AM, Manila time
Away: Boston Celtics (35-19, 17-10 Away)
Projected Starting Five:
- Derrick White
- Baylor Scheierman
- Jaylen Brown
- Sam Hauser
- Neemias Queta
With new weapon Nikola Vucevic, the Celtics defeated his former team, the Chicago Bulls, at home, 124-105, just before the All-Star break. With that win, the Celtics closed out their first half of the season having won six of seven games.
Even without Jayson Tatum, Boston has found a way to succeed and look like a legitimate contender in the East, at the very least, and it’s a testament to the team’s depth, talent and coaching.
Vucevic’s addition is clearly a notable one for the Celtics, but it remains to be seen when he will get reps as part of the starting unit after averaging 13.7 points and 9.7 boards through three games with his new team. In any case, the Warriors will have their hands full against Boston, which is being led by Jaylen Brown.
The former California star is putting up 29.2 points per game for the Celtics, who are 2-2 against the spread in their last four road games.
Home: Golden State Warriors (29-26, 18-10 Home)
Projected Starting Five:
- Stephen Curry (DTD)
- Brandin Podziemski
- Moses Moody
- Draymond Green
- Al Horford
The Warriors limped into the break after losing to the San Antonio Spurs at home, 126-113. They have won just four of their last 11 games, as the Dubs struggled, in large part because of the absence of Stephen Curry.
The two-time NBA Most Valuable Player
has not seen action since a 131-124 loss at home to the Detroit Pistons on Jan. 31. In the five games after that, Golden State has gone only 2-3 straight-up. It is possible, however, that Curry will be able to return to action against Boston. The same can perhaps be said about Kristaps Porzingis, who has yet to make his debut in Golden State colors.
In the five games Curry missed, the Warriors were led by Moses Moody and Pat Spencer, as they averaged 15.0 points and 14.6 points in those games, respectively.
As a team, Golden State is 2-1 against the spread in its last three home games versus the Celtics.
Picks
Spread: Boston Celtics (-3.5)
Over/Under: Under (223.5)
