The Phoenix Suns (8-15) will have their hands full against the NBA’s top scoring defense when they take on the Boston Celtics (19-4) at TD Garden. The game starts at 1 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 2, 2017, and will air on Fox Sports – Arizona.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 214 points with Boston set as a 13-point favorite.
Phoenix Suns at Boston Celtics Free Prediction
In the Suns’ last outing, they were thoroughly outplayed by the Detroit Pistons, 131-107. Detroit’s 0.646 effective field goal percentage was their largest strength over Phoenix, who had a mark of 0.506. The Pistons’ mark was above their season average of 0.523. Phoenix’s Josh Jackson played well, recording 20 points and seven rebounds.
The Celtics were victorious over the Philadelphia 76ers in their last matchup, 108-97. The Celtics made 16 of their 20 free throws (80.0 percent) and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.582 (above their season average of 0.508). Kyrie Irving was the top scorer from either team with 36 points on 12-for-21 shooting.
Boston could have their way on defense as they square off against one of the league’s worst offenses. The Celtics rank second in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.491), while Phoenix is 28th in effective field goal percentage (0.490). It will also be a tale of two styles as the up-tempo Suns rank second in possessions per game, while the more half-court oriented Celtics rank 25th.
Phoenix heads into the game with records of 8-15 straight up (SU) and 9-13-1 against the spread (ATS). Of the Suns’ 23 games, 14 have finished over the total.
Meanwhile, Boston is 19-4 SU and 18-4-1 ATS. Contrary to Phoenix, just over half of Celtics games have finished under the projected point total.
After splitting two games last season, these teams will meet for the first time this year. The Celtics won the last matchup 130-120. Boston had a better offensive rebounding percentage (23.5 vs. 20.8). Phoenix, meanwhile, did a fantastic job of getting and making free throws (36-49; 73.5 percent).
Phoenix Suns vs. Boston Celtics Odds Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Celtics, ATS Winner – Celtics, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Phoenix is 5-4-1 ATS on the road with 7 overs and 3 unders.
Boston is 8-2-1 ATS at home with 6 unders and 5 overs.
Boston is 15-0 when they hold opponents below 100 points, while Phoenix is 2-1.
In games where they score over 100 points, the Celtics are 14-2 and the Suns are 7-9.
Boston ranks first in steals allowed per game (6.7) while Phoenix ranks 27th (9.0).
The Celtics rank third in second chance points allowed per game (10.3) while the Suns rank 27th (13.9).
Boston ranks fifth in fast break points allowed per game (9.0) while Phoenix ranks 29th (14.9).
The Suns rank fifth in points in the paint per game (47.5) while the Celtics rank 28th (39.0).
Boston ranks seventh in points off turnovers allowed per game (15.3) while Phoenix ranks 29th (20.3).
The Celtics average 45.6 rebounds per game, which ranks sixth in the NBA. The Suns rank 28th in rebounds allowed per game (47.0).
Boston ranks fifth in assists allowed per game (21.0) while Phoenix ranks 16th (22.7).
The Celtics rank fifth in three pointers allowed per game (26.3) while the Suns rank 13th (28.3).
Boston ranks 18th in blocks per game (4.4) while Phoenix ranks 21st in blocks allowed per game (5.3).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Phoenix is 1-3-1 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Boston is 3-2 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under over their last five games.
The Suns’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 12.0, up from 8.9 for the season.
During their last five games, the Celtics have scored an average of 108.0 points per game (4.0 above their season average) and allowed an average of 104.0 points per game (7.2 above their season average).
