Suns vs Celtics 1/18/2020 NBA Prediction, Pick, Tips

Game: Phoenix Suns vs Boston Celtics

Date: Saturday, January 18, 2020

Location: TD Garden in Boston, MA

TV: NBC Sports Boston

Odds/Point Spread: Boston -6.5

Total/Over-Under: 224

Kemba Walker and the Boston Celtics (27-13, 1st in the Atlantic Division) play the Phoenix Suns (17-24, 3rd in the Pacific Division) at TD Garden on Saturday, January 18, 2020. The line on this matchup has Boston as 6.5 point favorites. The total has been set at 224.

The Suns are covering the spread 52.5% of the time, having gone 21-19-1 ATS. Boston is covering 60.5% of the time, going 23-15-2 against the spread.

Key Phoenix Suns Injuries

01/16/20 SF Kelly Oubre Jr. Concussion is questionable Saturday vs Boston
01/04/20 PF Frank Kaminsky Knee is out indefinitely

Key Boston Celtics Injuries

01/16/20 SG Jaylen Brown Thumb is questionable Saturday vs Phoenix

Player Spotlight

Devin Booker averages 26.2 points per game in 35.8 minutes per contest. He averages 6.3 assists per contest and 3.9 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 51% for the year while his free throw percentage is 91%. Ricky Rubio comes into this contest averaging 13.6 points per game while playing 32.3 minutes per night. He pulls down 4.8 rebounds per game and dishes out 9.4 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 41% while his free throw percentage is at 83%.

Player Spotlight

Jayson Tatum averages 21.2 points per game and he sees the court an average of 34.1 minutes per contest. He also averages 6.9 rebounds per contest and 2.8 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage is 84%. Kemba Walker averages 22.1 points per game while playing 31.9 minutes per contest. He grabs 4.0 rebounds per game and has 4.9 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is at 87%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Suns allow 113.9 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 22nd in the league. They also allow a 47% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc, ranking them 25th and 24th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 44.9 rebounds a game which ranks 12th, and they give up 23.6 assists per contest which puts them in 13th place in the league. They force 16.3 turnovers per game which ranks them 28th in the league. Phoenix averages 113.3 points per contest this season, which ranks them 10th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -0.6 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team, which has them ranked 13th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 22nd in the league. They average 43.7 rebounds per game and 27.7 assists per contest, which ranks them 22nd and 2nd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 19th with 14.6 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Celtics surrender 105.2 points per contest, which ranks them 2nd in the NBA. Their defense allows a 45% shooting percentage and a 35% average from 3-point range, ranking them 10th and 12th in those defensive statistics. They rank 7th with 23.1 assists allowed per contest, and 9th with 44.1 rebounds surrendered per game. The Celtics are 22nd in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 15.5 per game. Boston is 13th in the league with 111.5 points per game this year. They are 16th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is 6.3. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 19th in the NBA. They are 13th in the league in rebounding with 45.8 boards per game and 20th in assists per contest with 23.0. The Celtics are 24th in turnovers per game with 13.8.

Advanced Statistics

The Suns are 15th in the league in defensive rating with 110.6, and their offensive rating of 110 is ranked 18th. They are 9th in the NBA in pace with 102.2 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% is 15th. As a unit they are 9th in the league in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 37% of their shot attempts, ranking 17th in the NBA. Phoenix is 18th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.8 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.1 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 54%, which is 6th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Boston is 22nd in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.9 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%, which is 20th in the league. The Celtics are 6th in the NBA in offensive rating with 112, and their defensive rating of 105.7 is ranked 4th. In terms of pace they are 18th in the league with 99.3 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 17th. As a team they are 14th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 38% of their shots, ranking 14th in the league.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Phoenix +6.5

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