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Phoenix Suns vs Boston Celtics Prediction, Betting Odds, Picks

Updated: October 14, 2022, 08:41 AM ET
5 min read
  • The Phoenix Suns look to start a new win streak after their recent blowout victory over the Thunder!
  • The shorthanded Boston Celtics look to bounce back after three straight losses.
  • The Suns won their earlier meeting with the Celtics, 111-90.

Phoenix Suns vs Boston Celtics Odds

Phoenix Suns Vs Boston Celtics December 31

Head-to-Head: Phoenix Suns vs Boston Celtics

Phoenix SunsHead-to-HeadBoston Celtics
Monty WilliamsHead CoachIme Udoka
27-7 (2nd in West)Standing16-19 (10th in East)
W-L-L-WFormL-L-L-W
111.6 (9th of 30)Off Rtg108.9 (19th of 30)
104.2 (3rd of 30)Def Rtg108.2 (9th of 30)
99.9 (6th of 30)Pace97.1 (21st of 30)
Leaders (Per Game)
D. Booker (23.7)PPGJ. Tatum (25.6)
D. Ayton (11.1)RPGR. Williams (8.9)
C. Paul (9.8)APGM. Smart (5.5)
C. Paul (2.0)SPGM. Smart (2.0)
J. McGee (0.9)BPGR. Williams (1.8)
J. McGee (.657)/D. Booker (8.6)FG%/FGMR. Williams (.736)/J. Tatum (8.9)
D. Booker (.428)/D. Booker (2.7)3P%/3PMG. Williams (.466)/J. Tatum (2.8)

Injury Report

PlayerTeamDateStatusInfo
Dario SaricPhoenix Suns7 Jul 2021Out (Knee)The Suns forward has a torn ACL in his right knee.
Frank KaminskyPhoenix Suns21 Nov 2021Out (Knee)Kaminsky is out indefinitely with a stress reaction in his right knee.
Jae CrowderPhoenix Suns26 Dec 2021Out (Health & Safety)Crowder has been placed under league health & safety protocols.
DeAndre AytonPhoenix Suns27 Dec 2021Out (Health & Safety)Ayton has been placed under league health & safety protocols.
Abdel NaderPhoenix Suns29 Dec 2021Out (Health & Safety)Nader has been placed under league health & safety protocols.
Ish WainwrightPhoenix Suns29 Dec 2021Out (Back)Wainwright was OUT for Phoenix’s Wednesday (Dec 29) game.
Sam HauserBoston Celtics17 Dec 2021Out (Health & Safety)Hauser has been placed under league health & safety protocols.
Enes FreedomBoston Celtics23 Dec 2021Out (Health & Safety)Freedom has been placed under league health & safety protocols.
Bruno FernandoBoston Celtics24 Dec 2021Out (Health & Safety)Fernando has been placed under league health & safety protocols.
Justin JacksonBoston Celtics24 Dec 2021Out (Health & Safety)Jackson has been placed under league health & safety protocols.
C.J. MilesBoston Celtics24 Dec 2021Out (Health & Safety)Miles has been placed under league health & safety protocols.
Aaron NesmithBoston Celtics24 Dec 2021Out (Health & Safety)Nesmith has been placed under league health & safety protocols.
Jayson TatumBoston Celtics27 Dec 2021Out (Health & Safety)Tatum has been placed under league health & safety protocols.
Marcus SmartBoston Celtics29 Dec 2021Out (Hand)Smart was OUT for Boston’s Wednesday (Dec 29) match against the Clippers.

How Can the Suns Beat the Celtics?

The Phoenix Suns enter this game off the back of a relieving victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder. Wanting to start a new win streak, Phoenix must commit to the defensive side again.

In their two most recent losses, the Suns allowed their opponents to shoot 50.3% from the field while getting outrebounded by an average of 10.0 per game. It isn’t easy to adjust without star big man DeAndre Ayton in the paint, but Phoenix will have to in the face of Al Horford and Robert Wiliams.

Phoenix want to kick off their New Year’s Eve festivities with a win. While the Celtics are undermanned, the Suns can’t take them less seriously on the defensive end.

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Suns Key Player: (G) Devin Booker

Devin Booker erupted for 38 points in the @Suns win, marking his 3rd game with 30+ in his last 4 games! #ValleyProud pic.twitter.com/Vhg6Te4r5N

— NBA (@NBA) December 30, 2021


If you want to talk about a well-rounded offensive player, Devin Booker is one of the best in the league. In his last performance against the Thunder, Booker was the best player on the court.

In his last game Booker posted 38 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 blocks in 35 minutes of play. He was clinical from the field, especially from three, while also making it a point to defend and create opportunities for his teammates.

When the Suns face the Celtics, Booker will be hounded by Boston’s collection of energetic wing defenders. He has the scoring ability, but his passing is what can open up the Celtics defense and lead the Suns to victory.

How Can the Celtics Beat the Suns?

With so many key players unavailable, the Celtics have the odds stacked against them. If they want to steal a win from the Phoenix Suns, Boston must find more contributors to their scoring total.

In their last game, a loss to the LA Clippers, the Celtics scored just 82 points. Half of their points came from Jaylen Brown and Robert Williams.

It is difficult to force a player into a role that they’re unfamiliar with, but the production is needed regardless. All eyes shift to Al Horford and Josh Richardson, two veterans who combined to shoot 6 of 25 in their recent loss.

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Celtics Key Player: (G-F) Jaylen Brown

Jaylen Brown’s got some pent up ANGER!#Celtics | #BleedGreen pic.twitter.com/6UJ5SGUVqG

— Boston Sports Tok (@BostonSportTok) December 30, 2021


The Boston Celtics really have no one else to turn to. With Smart and Tatum out, their best scorer and playmaker are out of the lineup, so the chances of the Celtics’ success are wholly on Jaylen Brown’s shoulders.

In his last game, a loss to the LA Clippers, Brown starred despite some dismal shooting. Brown posted 30 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 steals in almost 40 minutes of play. The issue in Brown’s performance was his 13 of 36 shooting, not to mention going 1 of 13 from deep on the night.

Brown is very talented on the offensive side of the ball, but to stay competitive without his key teammates he must be a playmaker as much as he is a scorer.

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How to Watch Phoenix Suns vs Boston Celtics

Phoenix Suns vs Boston Celtics Information
Teams Phoenix Suns vs. Boston Celtics
Location TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
Time 1:00 PM EST, December 31st, 2021
How to Watch NBC Sports Boston, Bally Sports AZ
Christian Jope WSN Contributors

Christian Jope

NBA Betting Analyst

Expertise:
NBA
Betting Picks
Christian Jope is a writer, social media strategist, and data analyst. A Queen’s University Alumni, Christian is an author and social media strategist with Raptors Cage, while also working closely with MLSE and Canada Basketball through community-driven events.
Email: christian.jope@wsn.com
Nationality: Canadian
Education: Bachelor of Arts (Applied Economics)
Favourite Sportsbook: FanDuel Sportsbook
Favourite Casino: BetMGM Casino
Experience: 6 years
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