The Boston Celtics and the Phoenix Suns duke it out at the Mortgage Matchup Center on Tuesday night. Here’s a Suns vs Celtics Prediction. This article will include a Suns vs Celtics Pick.
Boston Celtics Betting Preview
The Boston Celtics have been on fire as they’ve won eight of their last nine games overall and they will be gunning for a fourth straight victory after routing the Lakers in a 111-89 road win on Sunday. Jaylen Brown led the team with 32 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and three steals, Payton Pritchard added 30 points with eight assists on 10 of 14 shooting off the bench while Derrick White chipped in with 12 points and eight assists. As a team, the Celtics shot 48 percent from the field and 14 of 36 from the 3-point line, but this win was more about their defense as the game was relatively closely contested until the second half where the Celtics restricted the Lakers to just 39 points to win with ease on the road.
Phoenix Suns Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Phoenix Suns have been in a rut as they’ve lost five of their last seven games overall and they will be hoping for a better effort after getting humbled by the Trail Blazers in an ugly 92-77 home defeat on Sunday. Collin Gillespie led the team in scoring with 18 points on seven of 14 shooting while Jalen Green chipped in with 13 points, but no other player scored more than eight points in this one. As a team, the Suns shot just 36 percent from the field and nine of 35 from the 3-point line which was still enough to stay within striking distance in the first half, but the Suns could only score 17 points in the third quarter which proved to be too much to overcome on a cold night. Royce O’Neale finished scoreless on zero of five shooting while Ryan Dunn scored just two points on one of nine shooting.
Why the Phoenix Suns will win
- The Suns have won four of their last five games as home underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Celtics have lost five of their last seven games as road favorites following a road win.
- The Suns have covered the spread in each of their last four games as underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Celtics have failed to cover the spread in six of their last eight games as favorites after winning as underdogs.
Why the Boston Celtics will win
- The Celtics have won each of their last 11 games against Pacific Division opponents.
- The Suns have lost 26 of their last 27 games as home underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents following a loss.
- The Celtics have covered the spread in each of their last nine road games against teams that held a winning record.
- The Suns have failed to cover the spread in 13 of their last 14 games as home underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents following a loss.
Total Points Facts
- Seven of the Celtics’ last eight games against Western Conference opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Five of the Suns’ last six home games against the Celtics have gone UNDER the total points line.
Phoenix Suns Player Facts
- Jalen Green has recorded 3+ steals in three consecutive appearances – equal-longest active streak of any player in the league.
- Mark Williams ranks 4th amongst qualified players for FG% (64.2%) this season.
Boston Celtics Player Facts
- Payton Pritchard has recorded 11 games with 4+ assists and zero turnovers this season – most of any player in the league.
- Derrick White has recorded 52 games with 3+ assists this season – equal-most of any player in the league.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Suns have suffered the largest comeback loss when leading through Q3 this season – led by 18 points vs Hawks on November 16.
- The Suns rank 2nd in the league for steals per game this season (10.1).
- The Celtics rank 1st in the league for opponent steals per game this season (6.1).
- The Celtics rank 1st in the league for turnovers per game this season (12.1).
Suns vs Celtics Prediction
The Celtics are still playing without Jayson Tatum and they are keeping an eye on Jaylen Brown who is questionable due to a right knee contusion, while the Suns have ruled out Devin Booker, Dillon Brooks, Jordan Goodwin and Cole Anthony with Grayson Allen listed as questionable. These two teams have yet to collide this season, but the Celtics enter as clear favorites and one of the hottest teams in the league right now and I think they continue their strong run with a solid win and cover on the road against the Suns who are struggling at the moment.