- We’ve made our Phoenix Suns vs Boston Celtics prediction for Thursday evening
- The latest odds favor the Celtics at home, but there has been line movement towards Phoenix
- Read below for Suns vs Celtics prediction, odds, trends and picks tonight
The Phoenix Suns visit the Boston Celtics on Thursday night in a marquee matchup between two of the NBA’s top teams. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 pm ET at TD Garden in Boston. The game will be televised nationally on TNT.
The Celtics enter as 5.5-point home favorites, with the over/under set at 227.5 points. These two teams played less than a week ago, with Boston prevailing 117-107 at Footprint Center.
Let’s dive into our Suns vs Celtics prediction, as we analyze the odds and provide our NBA picks for Thursday.
Phoenix Suns vs Boston Celtics Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| PHX Suns | +5.5 (-105) | +180 | Over 225.5 (-115) |
| BOS Celtics | -5.5 (-115) | -210 | Under 225.5 (-105) |
In the Suns vs Celtics odds for Thursday, Boston is favored by 5.5 points against the spread and -210 on the moneyline. Their implied win probability based on the odds is 68%.
Odds as of March 14, 2024, at ESPN Bet. Claim the ESPN Bet promo code to bet on Suns vs Celtics. Bettors in North Carolina can register at ESPN Bet North Carolina to place their wagers.
Phoenix Suns Betting Analysis
The Suns are coming off a 117-111 road win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday. Devin Booker returned from a four-game absence due to an ankle injury to score 27 points in the victory. Kevin Durant led the way with 37 points, including 19 in the third quarter alone.
Prior to that, the Suns went 2-2 in the four games Booker missed. They suffered a 117-107 road loss in Boston last Saturday without star Devin Booker in the lineup. Durant exploded for 45 points in that contest. Overall, the Suns are 38-27 and tied for sixth in the Western Conference.
Kevin Durant was INCREDIBLE despite the loss against the Boston Celtics 🔥
🔸45 PTS
🔸10 REB
🔸6 AST🔸18-of-26 FG
🔸4-of-7 3PT pic.twitter.com/OL7YWLJBL8— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) March 10, 2024
Durant ranks fourth in the NBA in scoring at 28.5 points per game. Booker is also having another outstanding season, averaging 27.5 points and 6.8 assists. The Suns’ offense revolves around their two superstars. The Suns rank in the top seven in both field goal and three-point percentage. Phoenix also moves the ball well, dishing out over 26 assists per game.
The Suns will be without Royce O’Neale, who is out with an ankle injury. Booker and Durant are good to go, which is crucial when making your Suns vs Celtics prediction.
Some key betting trends to note: the Suns are just 1-6 against the spread (ATS) in their last seven games overall. However, Frank Vogel’s team is 11-5 ATS in their previous 16 games vs the Celtics.
Boston Celtics Betting Trends
The Celtics have won three straight games after a rare two-game losing streak. They beat the Utah Jazz 123-107 on the road Tuesday night without Jaylen Brown, Al Horford, and Kristaps Porzingis. Role players like Luke Kornet, Xavier Tillman, and Oshae Brissett stepped up with the increased opportunity.
Boston is an NBA-best 51-14 overall and 29-3 at home. They went 3-2 on a recent road trip before returning home for this matchup with the Suns. The Celtics lead the NBA in offensive efficiency, scoring 121.7 points per 100 possessions.
While Phoenix’s Durant and Booker will be a handful, Boston counters with their own dynamic duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Tatum is a frontrunner in the NBA MVP odds, ranking seventh in the league in scoring (27.0 ppg) while also contributing 8.4 rebounds and 4.9 assists. His ability to score from all three levels makes him a tough cover.
In terms of Celtics injuries, Kristaps Porzingis has already been ruled out as he continues to deal with a hamstring strain. He’s missed the last three games. Brown (sacroiliac strain) and Al Horford (toe sprain) are both listed as questionable after sitting out Tuesday. Their statuses are worth monitoring.
The Celtics have been bettors’ friends in the NBA team trends, as they’ve covered the number in nine of their last 11 games overall. The total has also gone under in five of the Celtics’ last six games.
PHX vs BOS Matchup Stats
| 120.75 (4th) | Points Per Game | 116.985 (2nd) |
| 44 (26th) | Rebounds Per Game | 47.125 (9th) |
| 26.5 (2nd) | Assists Per Game | 26.492 (3rd) |
| 6.062 (7th) | Blocks Per Game | 7.415 (1st) |
| 6.563 (6th) | Steals Per Game | 6.484 (7th) |
Phoenix Suns vs Boston Celtics Prediction
This should be a fantastic game between two of the league’s elite teams. The Celtics have the advantage of being at home, where they’ve been dominant. They are also a little deeper and more well-rounded than the Suns.
However, Phoenix has the best player in this game: Kevin Durant. He’s proven time and again that he can take over and win games by himself. If Booker is back in rhythm, too, the Suns will be tough to stop.
Kevin Durant deserves more credit for his elite defense this season 🔒 pic.twitter.com/U9VD3oL4hI
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) March 12, 2024
Ultimately, I give a slight edge to the Celtics playing at TD Garden. The potential absences of Brown and Horford are concerning, but I still think Boston has enough firepower and chemistry to outscore the Suns.
Six points is too many in the NBA odds, though, and some sharps likely agree, as the line has come down from -6.5 to -5.5. Take the points with Phoenix, as they’ve shown the ability to keep it close against the Celtics.
Thursday NBA Pick:
- Phoenix Suns +5.5 (-105)
The Phoenix Suns will be facing off against the Boston Celtics on March 14th in what is sure to be an exciting matchup between two talented teams. As the game approaches, fans and bettors alike are eagerly anticipating the outcome and looking for any insights that may help them make informed decisions when placing their bets.
One of the key factors to consider when predicting the outcome of this game is the recent performance of both teams. The Phoenix Suns have been on a hot streak as of late, winning seven of their last ten games and currently sitting at the top of the Western Conference standings. Led by star players such as Devin Booker and Chris Paul, the Suns have been playing some of their best basketball of the season and will be looking to continue their winning ways against the Celtics.
On the other hand, the Boston Celtics have had a somewhat inconsistent season so far, currently sitting in the middle of the pack in the Eastern Conference standings. However, they have shown flashes of brilliance at times and have the talent to compete with any team in the league. With players like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown leading the way, the Celtics will be looking to pull off an upset against the Suns and improve their playoff positioning.
When it comes to betting trends for this game, it is important to take into account factors such as injuries, home-court advantage, and recent head-to-head matchups between the two teams. Bettors should also consider the point spread and over/under totals set by oddsmakers, as well as any potential value bets that may present themselves.
As of now, early odds for this game have the Phoenix Suns as slight favorites over the Boston Celtics. However, these odds are subject to change as more information becomes available leading up to tip-off. Bettors should keep an eye on any updates regarding player injuries or lineup changes that could impact the outcome of the game.
In conclusion, the Phoenix Suns vs Boston Celtics game on March 14th is shaping up to be a highly competitive and entertaining matchup. Both teams have the talent and potential to come out on top, making it a difficult game to predict. However, by staying informed on recent performance, betting trends, and other key factors, bettors can make more informed decisions when placing their bets on this exciting NBA matchup.
