It's hard to imagine Boston fell just one win short in last year's Eastern Conference finals for the right to play Golden State for an NBA title. Today's Celtics hardly resemble anything of similar championship form.
Both the Celtics and Warriors have home-court stakes throughout the playoffs on the line when the interconference matchup tips off. Golden State (44-19) holds just a two-game lead over Denver for the top seed in the Western Conference, a position that would guarantee home-court advantage for the entire Western Conference playoffs.
MORE: Watch Celtics vs. Warriors live with fuboTV (7-day free trial)
The Celtics (38-26) find themselves in a slightly different position, as they are in a battle for the East's No. 4 seed and home court in just the first round. Boston trails Philadelphia by 2 1/2 games for fourth.
Golden State ended February in a rare rough patch. The Warriors dropped the final two games of the month at Miami and Orlando as part of their four-game road trip in which they finished just 2-2. Rumors have also swirled in the last 24 hours that Golden State is looking to re-sign Andrew Bogut now that his season in Australia has finished.
While the Celtics won't be fans of the Warriors on Tuesday night, they were likely fond of Golden State's most recent victory on Saturday when the Warriors narrowly defeated the 76ers. The win counteracted a Sunday thumping that Boston took at home from James Harden and his Houston team.
What time is Celtics vs. Warriors?
The Celtics play the Warriors on Tuesday, March 5. Tipoff is set for 10:30 p.m. ET.
Celtics vs. Warriors TV channel, live stream
Tuesday's game is part of TNT's national telecast. It can also be streamed live online with fuboTV, which offers a free trial.
Where is Celtics vs. Warriors being played?
Golden State hosts the Celtics at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif. Boston hasn't won on the road since Feb. 12 at Philadelphia, while the Warriors, who are 23-8 at home, will be looking for redemption after dropping their most recent home contest to the Rockets.