Boston Celtics vs Phoenix Suns Prediction, Preview and Odds - 03/09/2024

Game Time: 8:30 pm ET, Saturday, March 9, 2024

Venue:  Footprint Center, Phoenix, AZ 

Where to Watch:  ABC

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Celtics -5.5, Suns +5.5; Over/Under:  227.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Celtics -5.5, Suns +5.5; Over/Under:  227.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Celtics -5.5, Suns +5.5; Over/Under:  227.5 points

Boston Celtics:  48-14 (1st place, Atlantic Division)

Phoenix Suns:  37-26 (2nd place, Pacific Division)

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Boston Celtics:  8-2 last 10

Phoenix Suns:  6-4 last 10

The Celtics are entering this game with a 48-14 record overall and they are 19-11 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game on a 2 game losing streak with losses coming against the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Denver Nuggets in their last game. Jaylen Brown led the team in points in that game with 41 while Kristaps Porziņģis was next on the team with 24 points. Jayson Tatum led the team in assists in that game with 8 while Jaylen Brown led the team in rebounds with 14. They were 45.1% from the field, 28.9% from 3-point range, and 64% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 120.8 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 109.9 PPG against them. The Celtics have an ATS record of 30-29-3 this season and their O/U record is 30-32.

The Suns are entering this game with a 37-26 record overall and they are 21-13 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game on a 2 game winning streak with wins coming against the Denver Nuggets and the Toronto Raptors in their last game. Kevin Durant led the team in points in that game with 35 while Grayson Allen was next on the team with 26 points. Bradley Beal led the team in assists in that game with 8 while Jusuf Nurkić led the team in rebounds with 14. They were 51.2% from the field, 42.9% from 3-point range, and 85% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 117.1 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 114.3 PPG against them. The Suns have an ATS record of 25-36-2 this season and their O/U record is 27-35-1.

The current betting odds have the Celtics listed as a 5.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Celtics have looked great in their games this season with their 48-14 record overall which has them leading the East right now with the best record in the entire NBA. They have also been a good road team with their 19-11 road record. Meanwhile, the Suns have also looked good in their games this season with their 37-26 record overall which has them surging up the standings in the West and in a playoff spot right now. They have looked good on their home court this year with their 21-13 home record and they also have some momentum coming into this one with 2 wins in a row now. Despite winning 2 games in a row now, they are only 6-4 in their last 10 games while the Celtics are 8-2 and have been the hotter team coming into this one. The Celtics were on a big win streak before losing 2 games in a row now but they will be looking to bounce back in a big way after 2 close losses against good teams. The Celtics haven't been through many losing streaks this season and they are going to bring their best effort here to prevent their 3rd straight loss. They also lost their one to the Nuggets which was their 2nd loss against the Nuggets this season and they are going to be looking to take out some frustrations from that loss. The best way to place a bet here is on the Celtics to cover the spread in this game. 

Celtics Suns Prediction:  Our NBA Pick for Saturday, March 9, 2024 (8:30 pm ET start time) is Celtics 117 Suns 105.

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Boston Celtics: 25-13 ATS as a road underdog. 9-2 ATS off 2 or more consecutive upset losses as a favorite. 54-28 ATS after 2 straight losses by 6 points or less. 16-9 UNDER after 2 or more consecutive losses. 34-27 UNDER off an upset loss as a favorite.

Phoenix Suns: 4-9 ATS as a home underdog. 7-13 ATS off a home win. 12-21 ATS after 1 or more consecutive wins. 12-7 UNDER off a home win. 6-0 UNDER off a home no-cover where the team won straight up as a favorite. 

Boston Celtics:  N. Queta (C) Mid March - Knee.

Phoenix Suns:  J. Okogie (SG) Ques Fri - Abdominal. N. Little (SF) Mid March - Knee. D. Booker (SG) Mid March - Ankle. D. Lee (SG) Out indefinitely - Knee.

“He’s just an incredible basketball player. Some things I learned from him today, actually. He’s just so smart, so crafty, so many things you don’t see that he does on the floor that helps that team win. It’s incredible. Whenever you overhelp just a little bit, he’ll find Gordon, he’ll find all these guys. It speaks to how valuable he is for them.” - Kristaps Porzingis on Nikola Jokic after their loss against the Nuggets in their game on Thursday.

“He knows his role in our system and he’s a great shooter. Everybody knew he was a good player when he was coming in, but he’s a great player. He’s playing phenomenally for us.” - Frank Vogel after his team’s win against the Raptors in their game on Thursday.

PG Jrue Holiday

SG Derrick White

SF Jaylen Brown

PF Jayson Tatum

C Kristaps Porzingis

PG Bradley Beal

SG Eric Gordon

SF Grayson Allen

PF Kevin Durant

C Jusuf Nurkic

PPG: J. Tatum (26.8)

APG: D. White (4.9)

Reb/G: J. Tatum (8.4)

PPG: K. Durant (28)

APG: D. Booker (6.8)

Reb/G: J. Nurkic (10.8)

Coaches:

Boston Celtics: Joe Mazzulla (2nd season)

Phoenix Suns: Frank Vogel (1st season)