Sunday, March 5, 2017

US Airways Center

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

The Boston Celtics travel to US Airways Center to play the Phoenix Suns on Sunday, March 5, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has Boston as 5.5 point favorites.

The Celtics come into this game with an overall record of 40-22. They are 1st in the Atlantic Division. They currently have a point differential of 2.6 as they are averaging 108.0 points per game while giving up 105.4 per contest. The Suns have an overall record of 20-42. They currently are 4th in the Pacific Division. They are averaging 107.5 points per game and surrendering 112.6, good for a point differential of -5.1.

Isaiah Thomas comes into this contest averaging 29.4 points per game while playing 34.3 minutes per night so far this season for the Celtics. He pulls down 2.7 rebounds per game and dishes out 6.2 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 46% while his free throw percentage is currently at 91%. Al Horford averages 14 points per game in 32.8 minutes per contest this season. He averages 4.9 assists per contest and 6.6 rebounds per game for Boston. His field goal percentage is 46% for the year while his free throw percentage is 82%.

Devin Booker averages 20.8 points per game while playing 34.5 minutes per contest this year for the Suns. He grabs 2.9 rebounds per game and has 3.2 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage currently is at 82%. Eric Bledsoe averages 21.1 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 33.1 minutes per contest. He also averages 4.9 rebounds per contest and 6.4 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is 85%.

Boston averages 108 points per contest this season which ranks them 6th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 2.6 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team which has them ranked 15th. Behind the arc they shoot 37% which is good for 10th in the league. They average 41.4 rebounds per game and 25 assists per game which ranks them 27th and 3rd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 25th with 13 per game. The Celtics allow 105.4 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 15th in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc ranking them 11th and 2nd in those defensive categories. Opponents average 44.6 rebounds a game which ranks 21st and they give up 22.5 assists per contest which puts them in 12th place in the league. They force 14 turnovers per game which ranks them 15th in the league.

Phoenix averages 107.5 points per game this year which ranks them 10th in the league. Their average scoring margin is -5.1 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team which has them sitting in the 19th spot in the league. Behind the arc they shoot 34% which is good for 24th in the NBA. They average 44.3 rebounds per game and 19.3 assists per contest which ranks them 8th and 29th respectively. In the turnover department the Suns rank 3rd with 15.8 per game. The Suns allow 112.6 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 29th in the league. They also allow a 47% shooting percentage and a 39% average from behind the arc ranking them 28th and 30th in those defensive statistics. Opponents average 42.8 rebounds a game which ranks 12th and they give up 22.3 assists per contest which puts them in 11th place in the league. The Suns force 15.4 turnovers per game which ranks them 28th in the NBA.

The Celtics have an offensive rating of 111.5 and a defensive rating of 108.8. In terms of pace they average 96.3 possessions per 48 minutes and their effective field goal percentage is 53%. As a team they have a true shooting percentage of 57% and they shoot 3 pointers on 39% of their shots. Boston turns the ball over an average of 12 times per 100 possessions and they force 12.7 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%.

The Suns rating on offense is 106.9 and they have a defensive rating of 112. They get 99.5 possessions per 48 minutes and they have an effective field goal percentage of 50%. As a unit they have a true shooting percentage of 54% and they attempt 3 pointers on 26% of their shot attempts. Phoenix turns the ball over on 13.8 out of every 100 possessions and their opponents average 13.6 turnovers per 100 possessions. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the year is 53%.

Boston Celtics Betting Trends

The Boston Celtics are 32-28-2 against the spread

The Boston Celtics are 30-32-0 against the over/under

Phoenix Suns Betting Trends

The Phoenix Suns are 31-29-2 against the spread

The Phoenix Suns are 39-22-1 against the over/under

Boston Celtics Injuries

03/04/17 C Tyler Zeller Illness is downgraded to expected to miss Sunday vs. Phoenix
01/09/17 G James Young Ankle out indefinitely

Phoenix Suns Injuries

03/04/17 F Marquese Chriss Calf injured last game, probable Sunday vs. Boston
02/08/17 F Dragan Bender Ankle out for season

Josh's Pick: Take Phoenix +5.5

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