Boston Celtics vs. Phoenix Suns Preview
In an anticipated matchup, the Boston Celtics (37-19), currently occupying the second position in the Eastern Conference, are set to face the Phoenix Suns (33-25), who hold the seventh spot in the Western Conference. The game will take place on Tuesday at 9 p.m. EST in Phoenix, with the odds favoring the Celtics by 6.5 points and a total points over/under set at 209.5.
Team Performance
Hot off a three-game winning streak, the Celtics aim to extend their success against a resilient Suns team, which boasts a strong home record of 19 wins and 11 losses this season. Notably, the Suns excel in offensive rebounding, ranking third in the league with an average of 13.1 per game, largely thanks to Mark Williams, who contributes 3.1 offensive rebounds himself. Meanwhile, the Celtics have performed well on the road, with a record of 19-10 and are eighth in the league for total rebounds, pulling in an average of 45.6, led by Nikola Vucevic‘s impressive 8.9 per game.
Shooting Efficiency
When it comes to shooting efficiency, the Suns hold an average shooting percentage of 45.4%, slightly better than the 44.3% that Boston allows its opponents. The Celtics, on the other hand, are shooting at 46.8%, just shy of the 47.0% allowed by the Suns.
Key Players
Key players are stepping up for both teams. For the Suns, Williams has been particularly effective, shooting 64.2% from the field while averaging 11.9 points per game. In the last ten games, Collin Gillespie has also made notable contributions, with an average of 13.1 points. The Celtics will look to their star Jaylen Brown, who is averaging 29.2 points, 7 rebounds, and 4.9 assists. Payton Pritchard is also in fine form, scoring an average of 21.3 points over his last ten games.
Recent Trends
Recent performance trends show that the Suns have struggled slightly, going 4-6 in their last ten matchups, averaging 106.2 points along with 44.4 rebounds and 23.8 assists, while shooting 42.4% from the field. In contrast, the Celtics have thrived, posting an 8-2 record with an average of 109.2 points, 49.7 rebounds, and 25.6 assists, demonstrating strong defensive play with their opponents averaging just 99.3 points.
Injuries
In terms of injuries affecting the teams, the Suns will be without several key players, including Grayson Allen (knee), Cole Anthony (personal reasons), Jordan Goodwin (calf), Devin Booker (hip), Dillon Brooks (hand), and Haywood Highsmith (knee). The Celtics will also miss Jayson Tatum due to an Achilles injury.
Conclusion
This exciting matchup promises to be an intriguing contest, as the Celtics hope to continue their winning streak against a challenging Suns team.
