Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors will miss tonight's game against

Brandon Rush will continue to start in place of Barnes and Ian Clark will replace Thompson in the starting rotation.

So how exactly can the Celtics stop them - or at least slow them down? They have to go into this game with the same defensive poise and offensive efficiency that they have had in their recent games. Going back to the 2014-2015 season, Golden State has won 27 consecutive regular season games. Though their point differential pales in comparison to Golden State's, they rank fourth in that category as well at a respectable plus-5.4. 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.

Celtics fans are confident that their team can walk away with a win Friday night, and they should be. If Thompson does not play, then they should dial in on slowing down Draymond Green, who does everything for the Warriors on both ends of the floor.

"To be both of those things is pretty remarkable because of the extra incentive for everybody playing against you", said Stevens.

Here's Stephen Curry in TDK Garden in Boston during warmups for tonight's tilt with the Celtics - Golden State's fifth of seven straight road games.

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. As you can see, the pressure of being undefeated and banged up as a team is really getting to him ... or, not so much.

If the Warriors are indeed going to extend their 23-game undefeated streak to start the season, they may have to get it done without 25-year-old, 6-foot-7-inch shooting guard Klay Thompson, who left Tuesday's 131-123 win over the Indiana Pacers with a late ankle injury.

The streak will not end in Boston even if Thompson is out; the Warriors are on another planet and the Celtics and most of the National Basketball Association are not even close to reaching that planet right now. The team has also been without Harrison Barnes for six games.