Free NBA Pick: Suns vs. Celtics NBA Odds
Looking for Phoenix Suns vs. Boston Celtics free NBA picks & NBA odds? NBA betting sees the Suns taking on the Celtics on Friday, December 31st, 2021 at TD Garden. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NBA basketball matchups so stay tuned for more FREE daily NBA hoops predictions like this Suns Celtics matchup.
2021 NBA Handicapping
(27-7) Phoenix Suns vs. Boston Celtics (16-19)
Date: Friday, December 31st
Time: 1:00 PM EST
Venue: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
NBA Moneyline Odds: Suns -149 | Celtics +140 (Bet Now!)
NBA Betting Odds: Suns -3.5
NBA Betting Total: OFF
Friday, December 31st, finds the Phoenix Suns facing the Boston Celtics for the second and final time this season. Phoenix took the opening match 111-90 on December 10th.
Both teams last played Wednesday with the Suns playing the Thunder in a 115-97 winning effort while the Celtics lost 82-91 to the Clippers.
The Celtics hold the all-time record between the clubs with 73 wins in 132 meetings versus the Suns. Last season, the teams played on two occasions with each team winning on their home court.
Phoenix Suns
After largely avoiding the NBA health and safety protocols or at least not having copious players out together the virus seems to have caught up with Phoenix as Deandre Ayton and Jae Crowder entered protocols.
Devin Booker dealt with protocols at the start of camp prior to when the omicron variant surfaced while Chris Paul and Mikal Bridges have kept themselves safe (so far). But if the Suns follow the typical pattern eventually at least one of this three will test positive.
For now, this trio is keeping the Suns rolling but Crowder (and possibly Ayton) could return Friday based on the new five-day quarantine if both are asymptomatic.
In the victory versus the Thunder, Devin Booker led the way with 38 points, seven rebounds, five assists, two blocks, and hit half his 3-point shots.
JaVale McGee and Cameron Payne each scored 16 points while Cameron Johnson (12) Jalen Smith (11), Chris Paul (10) were the other double-figure contributors.
Jae Crowder, Abdel Nader, and Elfrid Payton are questionable for Friday while Deandre Ayton is out indefinitely Ish Wainright (back) is also questionable for Friday. Frank Kaminsky (knee), and Dario Saric (knee) are all out indefinitely.
Boston Celtics
The losing streak has hit three games in a row for the Celtics amid more of the team going into health and safety protocols including their superstar Jayson Tatum.
Given how successful the core of this club has been it’s unusual they don’t adapt or learn from their mistakes quicker. Perhaps that’s why Marcus Smart called out Tatum and Jaylen Brown publicly about their lack of passing — to drive the point home.
On Wednesday, the issue was continuing to shoot perimeter shots when they weren’t falling. Boston attempted 42 shots from behind the arc and hit only four which is less than one percent (0.09) efficiency.
Brown led the way with 30 points and like the rest of his team struggled from deep ( 1 of 13). Robert Williams registered a double-double of 16 points and 14 rebounds plus two blocks.
Five Celtics are in various stages of protocols with Enes Kanter Freedom, Dennis Schroder, Jayson Tatum, Bruno Fernando, and Aaron Nesmith all listed as questionable for Friday’s match. Marcus Smart is nursing a hand injury making him questionable as well.
NBA Betting Trends:
- The Celtics are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games.
- The total has gone OVER in 6 of Phoenix’s last 8 games.
- The Suns are 16-4 SU in their last 20 games.
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston’s last 5 games.
Free Phoenix Suns vs. Boston Celtics NBA Prediction:
Defensive matchups will be key especially if any of the core currently in protocols returns. Williams and Ayton would offset each other while Bridges will be tasked with Brown (or Tatum if he returns).
The big question is who’ll stop both Booker and Paul while also producing offensively for the Celtics. Since that’s not an obvious answer the Suns have the decided edge.
4* Free NBA Betting Pick: Suns -3.5
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