Subscribe
Follow Us
The Phoenix Suns will play the Boston Celtics in an inter-conference matchup on Friday. It's time continue our NBA odds series with a Suns-Celtics prediction and pick.
The Suns and Celtics will play on New Year's Eve as Phoenix looks to remain one of the hottest teams in the NBA. Each of these teams is still battling the effects of players being tied up in health and safety protocols due to Covid. A total of nine players (five from Boston and four from Phoenix) are ruled out of this game due to health and safety protocols as of Friday morning. Luckily for the Suns, they will have Chris Paul and Devin Booker, while the Celtics will be missing their best player, Jayson Tatum. Phoenix comes into this spot as road favorites over Boston.
Here is how FanDuel has set the Suns-Celtics odds for this Friday NBA matchup.
NBA Odds: Suns-Celtics Odds
Phoenix Suns -4.5 (-112)
Boston Celtics +4.5 (-108)
Over 214.5 (-110)
Under 214.5 (-110)
*Watch NBA Games LIVE with fuboTV (click for free trial)
Why The Suns Could Cover The Spread
The Suns are tied for the best record in the NBA with the Golden State Warriors at 27-7. Phoenix is 7-3 in their last ten games as they continue to make headway towards a top seed in the Western Conference playoffs. Chris Paul and Devin Booker have both been rolling of late. The Suns are 9-0 vs. the Eastern Conference so far this season and will look to improve on that Friday. Phoenix should have a good chance for another cover and win here vs. the undermanned Celtics.
The Suns are not at 100% themselves however as Jae Crowder and Deandre Ayton are among Phoenix players that have not yet cleared health and safety protocols. Phoenix will also be without backup center JaVale McGee, leaving them rather thin inside, particularly defensively.
Phoenix vs. the spread
The Suns are 18-16 vs. the spread this season overall and 8-6 against it on the road. Phoenix is 6-4 vs. the spread as road favorites and has covered in six of their last ten games regardless of location.
Why The Celtics Could Cover The Spread
This will be an uphill battle for the Celtics without some key players. Tatum is the leading scorer for Boston and his absence will be greatly missed. Starting point guard Dennis Schroder is also still tied up in health and safety protocols, as are reserve big men Enes Freedom and Bruno Fernando. Young shooter Aaron Nesmith is also in the protocols rounding out the five players the Celtics will be without on Friday. Boston will lean on Jaylen Brown, Al Horford, Marcus Smart and Robert Williams to pick up the slack and keep this one close. With Phoenix being down their top two centers, the Celtics might have a shot at the cover and upset win at home.
Boston vs. the spread
The Celtics are 17-16-2 vs. the spread this season and 7-8-1 at home. Boston is 4-5-1 against the spread in their last ten games. Being without Tatum obviously makes them a different team, and the C's will look to avoid a four-game losing streak in this one.
Final Suns-Celtics Prediction and Pick
Take the Suns to win and cover here. Paul and Booker should be able to take care of business vs. a shorthanded Celtics team. Despite the absences for the Suns, they will still have the best two players on the floor in this one.
Final Suns-Celtics Prediction & Pick: Suns -4.5 (-112)
