With heavy heart, Brown helps Celtics top Warriors

BOSTON — Hours before the Celtics took the court Thursday to protect their win streak against the defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors, Jaylen Brown was walking around in a fog.

Boston’s second-year guard was not thinking about basketball after learning about the sudden death of his childhood best friend, Trevin Steede, on Wednesday.

“It was tough to kind of accept it,” Brown said.

But after talking to his family and having conversations with Celtics coach Brad Stevens, Brown looked to the court to find solace. The 21-year-old ended up playing one of the best games of his young career.

Brown had 22 points and seven rebounds, Kyrie Irving had 11 of his 16 points in the fourth quarter, including two free throws that put Boston ahead in the closing seconds, and the Celtics beat the Warriors 92-88 for their 14th straight victory.

“He inspired me to come out and play, and I played in his spirit,” Brown said about Steede.

They met after Brown transferred to Joseph Wheeler High School in Marietta, Georgia.

“I remember I didn’t have any friends,” Brown said. “The first few days I sat at the lunch table by myself — I’m super quiet and didn’t know anybody.”

■ At Phoenix, James Harden scored 23 of his 48 points in the second quarter for Houston, which scored 90 points in the first half — the second-most points in a first half in league history. Chris Paul returned after missing 14 games with a knee injury and had 11 points and 10 assists in limited action for the Rockets, who made 21 of 44 3-point attempts. Harden made all 18 of his free throws.

Rockets 142, Suns 116 —