Celtics Look to Extend Winning Streak Against Suns in Phoenix Showdown

Phoenix, AZ — The Boston Celtics (35-37) are gearing up to face the Phoenix Suns (53-19) in an NBA showdown on Wednesday night at PHX Arena. The game is scheduled to tip off at 10 p.m. ET as both teams aim to continue their winning streaks.

Following a 108-106 victory against the Milwaukee Bucks, in which Kevin Durant scored 38 points, the Suns are looking for their fifth consecutive win. Meanwhile, the Celtics are on a high, having won their last six games. However, Jayson Tatum‘s ankle injury leaves his status for Wednesday in doubt, while Bradley Beal will not play for the Suns due to a hamstring strain.

Boston enters the matchup as a 6-point favorite, with the over/under set at 221.5 points, reflecting a decrease from the initial opening of 226.5. SportsLine consensus data indicates that Boston is favored at -237 on the money line (risking $237 to win $100) and Phoenix at +195 (risking $100 to win $195).

The SportsLine Projection Model, which has profited players over $10,000 for $100 bets over the past six seasons, has simulated this game 10,000 times. The model comes into this week with 153-113 success on top-rated picks, yielding nearly $4,000 in profit. It highlights Boston’s defensive prowess, averaging 13.1 forced turnovers combined with a solid free-throw percentage of nearly 80%.

Derrick White, with an exceptional charity stripe shooting percentage of 83.8%, could provide critical contributions for the Celtics. Conversely, Kevin Durant has been a consistent threat against Boston, boasting an average of 26.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 3.9 assists in 24 career games against them.

Despite the injuries, Phoenix looked strong with their recent performances, winning three of their last four games against Boston. The Suns have also covered the spread in three of their last four home games, boasting a six-game winning streak at home dating back to March 4.

The Betting Market: As the hype around the matchup builds, prediction models suggest that the total points in Wednesday’s game are projected at 227, demonstrating a potential lean towards the over. Furthermore, one side of the spread is expected to hit well over 50% of the time based on simulations.

In previewing player stats, Kristaps Porzingis is anticipated to lead the scoring charge for the Celtics while the Suns will rely heavily on Durant to continue his momentum from the previous match. The predictive model estimates a final score of 114-107 in favor of the Celtics.

As both teams approach the game, the implications extend beyond mere win-loss records. Given their recent performances and the current playoff landscape, each game carries significant weight. Basketball fans can anticipate a highly competitive matchup in Phoenix on Wednesday night.