- We’ve made our Celtics vs Suns prediction for Saturday night
- The Saturday NBA odds favor Jayson Tatum and Boston on the road
- Read below for Celtics vs Suns prediction, odds, and player props to bet
The Boston Celtics (48-14) will visit the Phoenix Suns (37-26) on Saturday night at the Footprint Center in Phoenix. Tipoff is scheduled for 8:30 PM ET, and the game will be televised nationally on ABC.
The Celtics opened as 5.5-point road favorites with an over/under of 226.5 points. NBA player props are also released, with oddsmakers projecting big performances from key players Jayson Tatum and Kevin Durant.
Let’s get into our Celtics vs Suns prediction, as we analyze the game odds and provide the best NBA player props to bet.
Boston Celtics vs Phoenix Suns Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston Celtics | -5.5 (-105) | -210 | Over 226.5 (-110) |
| Phoenix Suns | +5.5 (-115) | +170 | Under 226.5 (-110) |
In the Celtics vs Suns odds for Saturday, Boston is the -210 moneyline favorite, giving them an implied win probability of 68%.
Odds as of March 9, 2024, at BetMGM Sportsbook. Claim the BetMGM promo code to bet on Celtics vs Suns on ABC. North Carolina residents can pre-register at BetMGM North Carolina for a unique sign-up offer,
Celtics Betting Trends
The Celtics are looking to bounce back after suffering their first two-game losing streak of the season. Boston had its 11-game winning streak snapped in a stunning 105-104 loss at Cleveland on Tuesday, blowing a 22-point fourth-quarter lead. They followed that up with a 115-109 defeat at Denver on Thursday despite 41 points and 14 rebounds from Jaylen Brown.
Prior to the mini-skid, the Celtics had been on an absolute tear, winning 11 straight and 17 of 18 overall. During the 11-game streak, Boston went 7-4 against the spread (ATS) and averaged 124.5 points per game.
TONIGHT ☘️ Celtics at @Suns
⏰ 8:30 PM EST
📺 ABC
🎙️ @985TheSportsHub #DifferentHere pic.twitter.com/3p1Pw78RUT— Boston Celtics (@celtics) March 9, 2024
The Celtics are an offensive juggernaut led by the superstar duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Tatum is a frontrunner in the NBA MVP odds, averaging over 30 points per game, while Brown is an elite second option who can take over when needed, as evidenced by his 41-point outburst against Denver.
Adding Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday has taken Boston’s offense to another level. Porzingis provides floor spacing and rim protection, while Holiday is a perfect fit as a two-way playmaker. The Celtics’ starting five, with those four plus Derrick White, is the best unit in the NBA.
For the season, the Celtics boast the NBA’s best record at 48-14. They rank first in the league in offensive rating (120.8 points per 100 possessions), second in defensive rating (110.1), and first in net rating (+10.7). Boston is 29-32-1 ATS overall and 12-15-3 ATS on the road.
Celtics Injury Report
- Jayson Tatum (ankle) probable
- Jaylen Brown (sacroiliac) questionable
Suns Betting Trends
The Suns enter this matchup riding a two-game winning streak after beating Denver 117-107 in overtime on Tuesday and Toronto 120-113 on Thursday. Kevin Durant led the way in both victories, scoring 35 points in each contest.
Phoenix has won six of its last eight games overall to improve to 37-26 on the season, good for sixth place in the Western Conference. The Suns are 25-36-2 ATS for the year, including a dismal 12-21-1 ATS mark at home.
The Suns rank seventh in the NBA in offensive rating (117.1) and 17th in defensive rating (114.1) for a net rating of +3.0 (10th). They play at the league’s second-slowest pace.
The Suns are hoping to have Devin Booker back in the lineup after he missed the last three games with an ankle sprain. Booker’s availability completely changes the dynamic of this matchup, as he forms a nearly unstoppable offensive trio with Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal.
Even if Booker can’t go, the Suns still have enough firepower to keep up with the Celtics. Durant hasbeen on a tear since joining Phoenix, averaging 29.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 5.2 assists since arriving at last year’s deadline. He’s a matchup nightmare for any defender with his size and skill.
The X-factor for Phoenix could be Grayson Allen, who has been on fire from three-point range. Allen has made 15 triples in his last two games and is shooting a blistering 47.5% from deep on the season. His ability to space the floor is crucial for the Suns’ offense.
Suns Injury Report
- Devin Booker (ankle) questionable
- Josh Okogie (abdomen) out
Celtics vs Suns Player Props
Celtics vs Suns player props are available at a wide variety of sports betting apps. Oddsmakers are expecting Tatum and Durant to light up the scoresheet on Saturday, as both stars have projected point totals near the 30-range.
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Three-Pointers Made |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jusuf Nurkic | 10.5 (Ov -111 | Un -123) | 11.5 (Ov -103 | Un -133) | OFF | 3.5 (Ov -125 | Un -109) |
| Kristaps Porzingis | 21.5 (Ov -109 | Un -125) | 7.5 (Ov +102 | Un -139) | OFF | 2.5 (Ov +152 | Un -214) |
| Jayson Tatum | 27.5 (Ov -119 | Un -115) | 7.5 (Ov -142 | Un +104) | 4.5 (Ov -160 | Un +116) | 3.5 (Ov +114 | Un -157) |
| Jaylen Brown | 24.5 (Ov +102 | Un -139) | 6.5 (Ov +129 | Un -179) | 2.5 (Ov -163 | Un +118) | 2.5 (Ov +116 | Un -160) |
| Kevin Durant | 28.5 (Ov -108 | Un -127) | 6.5 (Ov +106 | Un -145) | 4.5 (Ov -111 | Un -123) | 2.5 (Ov +112 | Un -154) |
| Jrue Holiday | 11.5 (Ov -174 | Un +126) | 4.5 (Ov +104 | Un -142) | 4.5 (Ov -113 | Un -121) | 1.5 (Ov -154 | Un +112) |
| Bradley Beal | 18.5 (Ov -113 | Un -121) | 3.5 (Ov -154 | Un +112) | 4.5 (Ov -139 | Un +102) | 1.5 (Ov -121 | Un -113) |
NBA player props collected from a variety of the best sports betting apps.
One intriguing player prop to consider is Kristaps Porzingis over 21.5 points. Porzingis has been on a tear lately, scoring over 21.5 points in each of his last five games. With his ability to stretch the floor and score inside, he should have plenty of opportunities against the Suns’ defense.
Another prop to look at is Kevin Durant under 28.5 points. While Durant has been sensational since joining the Suns, the Celtics have the defensive personnel to make things difficult for him. With long, versatile defenders like Tatum, Brown, and Porzingis, Boston may be able to limit Durant’s efficiency and keep him under his scoring prop.
For a higher risk, higher reward option, consider Grayson Allen over 3.5 made three-pointers. Allen has been scorching hot from deep, draining eight triples in each of his last two games. If he continues to get open looks and shoot with confidence, Allen could easily surpass 3.5 made threes, especially if the Celtics focus their defensive attention on Durant and Beal.
Boston Celtics vs Phoenix Suns Prediction
This should be a highly entertaining matchup between two of the most talented teams in the NBA. The Celtics are rightfully favored on the road, as they’ve been the best and most consistent team all season. The potential absence of Devin Booker also looms large for Phoenix.
However, the Suns have been tough to beat at home and will be extremely motivated to prove they can hang with the NBA’s elite. Kevin Durant is more than capable of putting the team on his back, and guys like Beal and Allen are very dangerous as complementary scorers.
Ultimately, the Celtics just have too much firepower and defensive versatility. Expect a high-scoring affair, but for Boston to pull away late for a 5-10-point victory and cover the 5.5-point spread. The over 226.5 points also looks like a good bet given the offensive talent on both sides.
- Celtics -5.5 (-105)
- Over 226.5 points (-110)
The Boston Celtics will face off against the Phoenix Suns on March 9th 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 to make some predictions on how the game will play out.
One of the key factors to consider when making predictions for this game is the current form of both teams. The Celtics have been playing well recently, winning five of their last six games and currently sitting in fourth place in the Eastern Conference. On the other hand, the Suns have been struggling a bit, losing three of their last five games and currently sitting in seventh place in the Western Conference.
In terms of odds, the Celtics are currently favored to win this game, with most sportsbooks giving them a slight edge over the Suns. However, it’s important to note that anything can happen in basketball, and the Suns are more than capable of pulling off an upset if they bring their A-game.
When it comes to player props, there are a few key players to keep an eye on in this matchup. For the Celtics, Jayson Tatum has been playing at an elite level recently and will likely be a focal point of their offense. Look for him to put up big numbers in points, rebounds, and assists.
On the Suns side, Devin Booker is always a threat to go off for a big game and could be a player to watch in terms of player props. Additionally, Deandre Ayton has been playing well recently and could have a big impact on the game with his scoring and rebounding abilities.
Overall, this game between the Celtics and Suns is shaping up to be a competitive and entertaining matchup. With both teams looking to secure playoff positioning, expect a hard-fought battle between two talented squads. As fans and bettors gear up for this game, keep an eye on the odds, player props, and key matchups to get a better sense of how things might play out on March 9th.
