There are five games in the NBA on Thursday, with the standout clash taking place at TD Garden as the Boston Celtics host the Golden State Warriors in a rematch of the 2022 NBA Finals.

The Warriors defeated the Celtics 4-2 in last season's NBA Finals, capturing their fourth championship since 2015, with Stephen Curry being named Finals MVP for the first time in his career. The teams have met once since, with the defending champions winning by 16 on their home floor in December.

The Warriors, who sit 7th in the West at 22-22, have not continued their title-winning defense into the new season, while Boston go into the game with a league-best 33-12 overall record and look primed to go all the way this year after falling at the final hurdle in 2022. 

The Celtics can be backed at +350 to win the NBA Championship outright, while Golden State is +850 to successfully defend the title.

What	Golden State Warriors @ Boston Celtics
Where	TD Garden, Boston
When	7:30 ET, Thursday January 19th, 2023
How to watch	NBA League Pass, TNT
Odds	GS Warriors +200, BOS Celtics -240

Celtics looking to break Warriors stranglehold 

Golden State won the final three games of last season's NBA Finals and claimed a 123-107 win over Boston at the Chase Center on December 10th in their first regular season meeting this season. 

The Celtics were expected to take some revenge as they won eight of nine prior to that game, but the Dubs secured a win behind 'Splash Brothers' Klay Thompson and Curry, who combined for 66 points.

That defeat sparked a slump for the Celtics as they lost four of their next five games. They've since bounced back for 11 wins in their last 13 – and they are seeking an eighth-straight victory on Thursday night. 

Thursday's Finals rematch marks the last time the two teams will meet in the regular season. 

Golden State may be struggling but they can never be written off as championship contenders. Last season, the trio of Curry, Thompson and Draymond Green played all of 11 seconds together prior to the postseason as a result of each player suffering injuries at different times. Skepticism surrounding the Dubs' ability to go on another title run disappeared as soon as the trio was healthy and playing together again. 

Road form the key concern for Dubs 

Golden State currently sits seventh in an incredibly competitive Western Conference.

The Dubs have a 22-22 overall record and a top-six seed is very much an achievable goal, but they will have to find a way to win on the road if they are to avoid the Play-In Tournament or missing the playoffs as a whole.

Golden State is 5-17 in away games, with two of those wins coming in their last three tries. They're yet to win on the road against a team who currently sit inside the top-six in either conference.

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Brown could make Boston return 

Jaylen Brown has missed the last three games with an adductor issue, but the C's star 'went through a full practice' on Wednesday and is officially rated as day-to-day by the team ahead of Golden State’s visit. 

If Brown were available, it would come as a big boost to Boston as he is averaging career-highs in points (27.2) and rebounds (7.1) per game. 

Brown also impressed in the defeat to the Warriors in December, leading the Celtics with 31 points and nine rebounds. Superstar teammate Jayson Tatum had a difficult night with just 18 points on 6-for-21 shooting. 

Brown is the Celtics' only injury concern of note with veteran Danilo Gallinari, who is yet to make his debut after joining in the offseason, their only confirmed absentee. 

If Brown does miss out again, either Derrick White or Malcolm Brogdon will start alongside Marcus Smart in the backcourt for the Celtics. 

The Warriors have a few confirmed missing themselves as Jonathan Kuminga, James Wiseman, JaMychal Green and Andre Iguodala all remain unavailable. 

Klay Thompson missed Golden State's most recent game via injury management, and is expected to return to the lineup vs. Boston.