Suns vs. Celtics: NBA odds, Picks and Predictions
Suns vs. Celtics Odds
| Suns Odds | +9.5 |
| Celtics Odds | -9.5 |
| Over/Under | 220 |
| Date | Fri, Feb. 3 |
| Time | 7:30 p.m. |
| TV | NBA TV |
On Friday, the Boston Celtics will host the Phoenix Suns at TD Garden. Entering play, Phoenix (27-26) owns the seventh-best record in the Western Conference and currently occupies a play-in position. Boston (37-15) holds the best record in the Eastern Conference. Oddsmakers are expecting the Celtics to roll to victory in this spot, pricing Boston as 9.5-point home favorites on the spread.
Phoenix Suns
Booker, Payne, Shamet remain OUT
Since Devin Booker last played a full game on December 17, the Suns are 9-14 and rank 24th out of 30 teams in Net Rating. On the road, they have been particularly poor – winning only three of their 11 contests in that span, and having been outscored by 7.2 points per 100 possessions.
Per Cleaning the Glass, Phoenix ranks in the 96th percentile in offensive efficiency and the 32nd percentile in defensive efficiency this season when Booker is on the floor, compared to the 10th percentile in offensive efficiency and the 70th percentile in defensive efficiency when he is on the sidelines.
Who will step up for Phoenix?
According to CourtIQ, Deandre Ayton (+3.2%) sees the largest increase in usage of any player on the Phoenix roster when Booker, Payne, and Shamet are each off of the floor this season. In these situations, Ayton is averaging 23.1 points and 13.2 rebounds per 36 minutes of action. Expect him to be a focal point of the offense once again on Friday against the Celtics.
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Boston Celtics
Smart OUT
Tonight, Marcus Smart will miss his sixth consecutive contest due to a right ankle sprain. In his absence, Boston is 2-3 overall, but a dominant 43 point victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday was an example of how dominant this team can be, even without him on the floor.
Per Cleaning the Glass, the Celtics rank in the 87th percentile in offensive efficiency and the 74th percentile in defensive efficiency with Smart on the court this year, compared to the 84th percentile in offensive efficiency and the 83rd percentile in defensive efficiency when he is on the sidelines. Boston is capable of withstanding Smart not being in uniform.
Who will step up for Boston?
According to CourtIQ, Malcolm Brogdon (+3.1%) sees the largest increase in usage of any player on the Boston roster when Smart is not on the floor. In such situations, Brogdon is averaging 23.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per 36 minutes of action. He has scored 23 points or more in two of his last four games played with Smart in street clothes.
Suns vs. Celtics – Picks & Predictions
Though the Celtics are undeniably the more talented team in this matchup, it is still going to be difficult for them to cover double-digits. The Suns are coming off of an embarrassing 32 point defeat on their home floor on Wednesday night against the Atlanta Hawks. Expect Deandre Ayton and company to be focused and ready to go, looking to make amends for a disappointing effort earlier this week. Take Phoenix and the points in this spot.
PICK: Suns +9.5 (-110, FanDuel)
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