Boston Celtics vs. Phoenix Suns Predictions, Odds, Picks

Dec. 10, 2021
Eytan Shander
VI Betting Expert
VegasInsider.com

It didn’t take long for the Suns to bounce back after snapping an 18-game win streak, as they came right back with a win on Monday night. The Celtics are slipping, losing three of their last four games. The two teams will convene in Phoenix Friday night at 10:00 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Score Prediction

Suns 132, Celtics 108

Best Bets

Suns -5.5 (-110) at PointsBet

Boston Celtics vs. Phoenix Suns Predictions

The Suns haven’t had Devin Booker for three straight games and don’t expect him back against the Celtics. The good news for Phoenix is they still won’t need him to take advantage of a struggling Celtics team. The Suns should be able to get consistent scoring on the perimeter asChris Paul and Cameron Johnson have been able to step up in Booker’s absence. They also have an incredible advantage down low with Deandre Ayton taking over Robert Williams for Boston.

This may seem like a battle of two teams dealing with huge absences, the Suns without Booker and the Celtics without Jaylen Brown, but only one team has truly looked lost. Boston will have to fight for every single bucket against the Suns, even with a huge night from Jayson Tatum.Dennis Schroder certainly has done his best to fill the even bigger void left by Brown.

The Celtics second-leading scorer has missed the past four games with that hamstring issue and has been missed maybe more than any other all-star in the league. Boston will have to get huge games from Schroder and others, like Josh Richardson and Marcus Smart. It’s just hard to get consistent scoring from guys who’s expectations rose from circumstances around them, rather than their own play.

The Suns went on an incredible win streak, a franchise record 18 wins in a row. They lost and came right back with a win. All without Booker on the floor due to his own hamstring injury. That’s pretty much the Suns season in a nutshell, dominant and at times it doesn’t even matter who is on the floor.

They still have the fourth-highest scoring average across the NBA along with the 6 th best scoring defense in the league. Outside of missing Booker for the fourth straight game, there won’t be a single sweat in this game if you are riding the Suns.

Boston needs Brown. It’s that simple. Tatum has been beyond impressive taking over games despite not having a clear second scorer around him. The Celtics have no problem broadcasting to their opponent what they will do; give it to Tatum again and again. It’s just what happens after that.

It’s why Boston lost three of their last four – all without Brown on the floor and despite a recent comeback that came up short. They don’t look like a playoff team without Brown, and cap off this five-game road trip in Phoenix before returning home on Monday night.

Boston Celtics vs. Phoenix Suns Betting Odds

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Boston Celtics vs. Phoenix Suns Betting Resources

  • Matchup: Atlantic vs. Pacific
  • Date: Friday, December 10, 2021
  • Venue: Footprint Center
  • Location: Phoenix, Arizona
  • TV-Time: ESPN - 10:00 p.m. ET

Boston Celtics Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

  • SU: 13-13
  • ATS: 13-12-1
  • O/U: 11-14-1

Boston is led by its two All-Stars as Tatum averages 25.7 PPG, adding 8.8 RPG, and Brown puts in 21.4 PPG. Schroder is next with 17.6 PPG, adding 5 APG. Al Horfordaverages 12.5 PPG and 8.1 RPG, shooting 46 percent. Smart chips in 11.3 PPG and just under 6 APG. Robert Williams is at 9.1 PPG and 8.3 RPG. Richardson is just under 10 PPG.

Phoenix Suns Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

  • SU: 20-4
  • ATS: 12-12
  • O/U: 10-14
Booker is the leading scorer for the Suns with 23.2 PPG off 45.8 percent shooting. Booker adds 4.9 RPG and 4.5 APG. Ayton is next in scoring with 16.3 PPG and 11.1 RPG. Ayton is shooting just over 61 percent.

Paul averages a double-double with 14.6 PPG and 10.1 APG.Mikal Bridges is scoring 12.1 PPG off 53.8 percent shooting. The Suns will be without Frank Kaminsky and his 10.6 PPG. JaVale McGee averages 10 PPG and 7 RPG.


Jayson Tatum has scored 29 points or more in seven straight games when Brown is inactive.(AP)

Boston Celtics vs. Phoenix Suns Head-to-Head

The Celtics and Suns will square off for the first time this season on Friday night. The next time they will play will be December 31 st back in Boston.

Key Players to Watch

  • BOS: Jayson Tatum - F (25.7 ppg, 8.8 rpg)
  • BOS: Dennis Schroder - G (17.6 ppg, 5 apg)
  • PHX: Chris Paul - G (14.6 ppg, 4 rpg, 10.1 apg)
  • PHX: Mikal Bridges - F (12.1 ppg, 4 rpg)

Boston Celtics vs. Phoenix Suns Betting Conclusion

The key injuries are a factor but how each team has responded is the pathway to the bet. Without Brown, the Celtics are a shell of a team. They struggle to do much – especially win games. The Suns are only .500 ATS at 12-12 on the year, but those trends come with circumstances – like higher numbers to cover.

In this case we have less than a two-possession cover for a Suns team whose only blemish is not having Booker, versus a Celtics team that looks lost without its star. It’s not like Boston has covered a ton of games, just 13-12-1 ATS on a season with an overall 13-13 record.

Boston Celtics vs. Phoenix Suns Betting Trends

  • Phoenix has won 19 of its last 20 games.
  • The underdog has covered the spread in 10 of the last 11 games played between both teams.
  • Phoenix has gone UNDER the point total in four of its last five games.