Celtics-Warriors Preview

The Golden State Warriors are now 6-0 in overtime after surviving another close call as they close in on the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls.

The Boston Celtics know all about how hard it is to win a tight affair against the defending champs.

The Warriors needed two overtimes to edge the Celtics back in December and are now five wins shy of a record 73 overall as they seek their 55th straight regular-season home victory Friday night.

Golden State (68-7) needed a tying 3-pointer from Klay Thompson with 15 seconds remaining in regulation before Stephen Curry scored six straight points in overtime and finished with 31 in Wednesday's 103-96 victory at Utah.

The Warriors were playing the second game of a back-to-back set after winning at home over Washington the night before. Rest wasn't a priority since they are now intently focused on surpassing the Bulls' 72-10 mark set 20 seasons ago.

''We realize we can make history and that helps because it keeps you focused every game,'' Thompson said. ''You don't want to lose and get this far and not go for it. We have a young youthful team and a great mix of vets that know how to pace themselves. We put a lot on the young guys' shoulders and go out there and perform every night and that's great."

Golden State has seven games left to reach 73 wins and has a five-game lead on San Antonio for the Western Conference's top seed. While the Spurs are resting players down the stretch as they usually do under Gregg Popovich, Warriors coach Steve Kerr isn't planning to do the same with history on the line.

''Our team wants it,'' Kerr said. ''They've made it pretty clear, so what we're doing is listening to them and trusting them that if they're injured, they're going to let us know. And if that's the case, we'll give them a rest. And if they feel like they're perfectly capable of getting out there and playing and that's what they want to do, then that's what we'll do.''

Golden State already made history with its record 24-0 start that was capped by a 124-119 double-overtime victory at Boston on Dec. 11. Curry finished with 38 points, 11 boards and eight assists despite an uneven night that saw him make 9 of 27 shots and establish a season high with eight turnovers.

Kelly Olynyk scored a season-high 28 points to lead the Celtics and the backcourt of Isaiah Thomas and Avery Bradley combined for 37, with Thomas contributing 10 assists.

Another entertaining, fast-paced contest should be on tap since the Warriors are second in the league with 101.9 possessions per 48 minutes and the Celtics are third at 101.1. Boston (43-32) is eager for the challenge.

"It's fun," Bradley told the Celtics' official Twitter feed. "That's what I play basketball for every single night - to go up against the best players."

Boston is 11-6 in the second half of back-to-back sets and comes to town seeking to avoid a three-game slide after falling 116-109 to Portland on Thursday. Thomas and Bradley combined for 42 points.

Forward Jae Crowder returned to the starting lineup after missing eight games with a sprained right ankle and finished with 13 points and 10 rebounds.

Golden State has taken five straight in this series.