Starting 5: East vs. West showdowns on ESPN tonight

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The NBA is set for a 12-game lineup led tonight by an ESPN doubleheader featuring a 7:30 p.m. ET tip-off between the Golden State Warriors and Boston Celtics in Boston for the first time since a dramatic blowout last March, followed by Paul George’s return to Los Angeles as the Philadelphia 76ers take on the Clippers at 10 p.m. ET.
Since their 2022 NBA Finals clash, the Warriors and Celtics have traded wins in competitive matchups, including two overtime thrillers. However, their last meeting on March 3 was a different story, with Boston claiming a 140-88 victory, marking one of the Celtics’ third-largest win and the Warriors’ fourth-largest loss in franchise history.
Both teams enter tonight with impressive records — Boston at 7-1 and Golden State at 6-1 — showing strength on both ends of the court. The Celtics lead the NBA in offense and rank fourth in defense, while the Warriors are close behind, ranking fourth in offense and second in defense.
Key things to watch:
Tatum’s Scoring Prowess: Jayson Tatum is averaging 30 points per game while shooting a career-high 48.1% from the field
Bench Bombers: Look for sharpshooters Buddy Hield (4.7 3s per game) and Payton Pritchard (4.0 3s per game) to make an impact from beyond the arc as they lead their teams’ bench units in 3-pointers made.
In the nightcap, Paul George returns to LA, where he played the past five seasons, now in a Philadelphia 76ers uniform. George made his Sixers debut on Monday, scoring 15 points, and now faces the Clippers in their new home, the Intuit Dome. 
Key things to watch:
Harden’s Historic Climb: James Harden is just 16 three-pointers away from passing Ray Allen for second on the all-time list, while his defensive impact remains strong, with 24 deflections this season.
Maxey’s Rising Star: With Joel Embiid out, Tyrese Maxey has stepped up as the primary scorer, averaging 30.2 points per game—third in the NBA.