Celtics vs Warriors Prediction 18 March 2026

Recently, Mazzulla's squad secured a victory over Phoenix with a score of 120-112. Against a highly defensive team, they managed to showcase an impressive offense. Special mention goes to Jaylen Brown, who scored 41 points and continues to be a true star for the team. However, there's a brewing shift in offensive responsibilities. Jayson Tatum has returned from injury, and it's likely that he will take a significant share of the shots. Given his extended absence, there might be an impact on his efficiency.

It's important to note that Boston operates at the slowest pace in the entire league. Naturally, this impacts their offense, which averages 114.4 points per game (21st in the league). Their defense, however, is elite, allowing just 107.5 points (best in the league). One should consider the scenario that they might struggle to speed up against Golden State. Nonetheless, playing at home gives them a strong chance of success.

Golden State continue to play without a string of key players, and victories have been hard to come by. They recently outplayed Washington (125-117), which came as no surprise. Their last win against a top-tier opponent was nearly two weeks ago, when they edged out Houston 115-113. Without their main star, the visitors can't afford to push forward aggressively and take numerous shots. Instead, they focus on grinding out every defensive possession, which is where their emphasis lies.

Looking at the stats, it's worth noting that Golden State ranks 11th in defense, allowing 113.8 points per game. Occasionally, they manage to "dry up" the game even against more formidable and well-rounded opponents. This was the case against New York (107-110). The presence of Green and several other quality defensive players on the court at least offers hope that they won't suffer a blowout.