Boston Celtics at Phoenix Suns NBA Picks & Predictions 3/26/2018

Monday, March 26, 2018

Talking Stick Resort Arena

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Boston Celtics travel to Talking Stick Resort Arena to play the Phoenix Suns on Monday, March 26, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Boston as 4 point favorites.

The Celtics head into this matchup with a mark of 49-23. They are 2nd in the Atlantic Division. They currently have a point differential of 3.9 as they are averaging 104.3 points per contest while giving up 100.4 per game. The Suns have an overall mark of 19-55. They currently are 5th in the Pacific Division. They are averaging 104.0 points per contest and giving up 113.9, which is a point differential of -9.9.

Valuable Boston Celtics Betting Trends

The Boston Celtics are 44-26-2 against the spread

The Boston Celtics are 36-34-2 against the over/under

Important Phoenix Suns Betting Trends

The Phoenix Suns are 32-39-3 against the spread

The Phoenix Suns are 35-39-0 against the over/under

Key Boston Celtics Injuries

10/17/17 SF Gordon Hayward Ankle is out indefinitely
03/25/18 F Jaylen Brown Concussion is upgraded to probable Sunday vs Sacramento
03/25/18 F Marcus Morris Ankle is "?" Sunday vs Sacramento
03/22/18 G Kyrie Irving Knee is out indefinitely
03/12/18 F Daniel Theis Knee is out for season
03/12/18 G Marcus Smart Thumb is out indefinitely

Key Phoenix Suns Injuries

10/14/17 PG Brandon Knight Knee is out for season
03/25/18 G Devin Booker Hand is "?" Monday vs Boston
03/25/18 F TJ Warren Knee is doubtful Monday vs Boston
03/22/18 C Tyson Chandler Neck is out indefinitely
01/31/18 G Isaiah Canaan Foot is out for season

Player Spotlight

Jayson Tatum averages 13.6 points per game in 30.5 minutes per contest this season. He averages 1.5 assists per contest and 5.1 rebounds per game for Boston. His field goal percentage is 47% for the year while his free throw percentage is 82%. Al Horford comes into this contest averaging 12.7 points per game while playing 31.6 minutes per night so far this season for the Celtics. He pulls down 7.4 rebounds per game and dishes out 4.8 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 49% while his free throw percentage is currently at 75%.

Player Spotlight

T.J. Warren averages 19.6 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 33 minutes per contest. He also averages 5.1 rebounds per contest and 1.3 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 50% and his free throw percentage is 76%. Devin Booker averages 24.9 points per game while playing 34.5 minutes per contest this year for the Suns. He grabs 4.5 rebounds per game and has 4.7 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage currently is at 88%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Celtics allow 100.4 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 3rd in the league. They also allow a 44% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc, ranking them 2nd and 1st in those defensive categories. Opponents average 43.9 rebounds a game which ranks 19th, and they give up 20.9 assists per contest which puts them in 4th place in the league. They force 14 turnovers per game which ranks them 9th in the league. Boston averages 104.3 points per contest this season, which ranks them 18th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 3.9 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 22nd. Behind the arc they shoot 38% which is good for 4th in the league. They average 44.6 rebounds per game and 22.4 assists per game, which ranks them 7th and 20th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 17th with 13.9 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Suns surrender 113.9 points per contest, which ranks them 30th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 47% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 28th and 22nd in those defensive statistics. They rank 13th with 23.1 assists allowed per contest, and 29th with 46 rebounds surrendered per game. The Suns are 6th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 13.5 per game this season. Phoenix is 21st in the league with 104 points per game this year. They are 29th in the league in shooting at 44%, while their average scoring margin is -9.88. They shoot 33% from 3-point range, which is good for 30th in the NBA. They are 13th in the league in rebounding with 44 boards per game and 29th in assists per contest with 21.1. The Suns are 3rd in turnovers per game with 15.8.

Advanced Statistics

The Celtics are 16th in the league in defensive rating with 103.7, and their offensive rating of 107.7 is ranked 30th. They are 22nd in the NBA in pace with 96.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% is 15th. As a unit they are 15th in the league in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 37% of their shot attempts, ranking 6th in the NBA. Boston is 17th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.9 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.8 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 49%, which is 30th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Phoenix is 5th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.9 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.9 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 8th in the league. The Suns are 30th in the NBA in offensive rating with 103.4, and their defensive rating of 113.2 is ranked 1st. In terms of pace they are 3rd in the league with 100.4 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 49% is 30th. As a team they are 28th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 32% of their shots, ranking 22nd in the league.

Who will win tonight's Celtics/Suns NBA game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take Boston -4

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