The two best teams in the NBA meet at 10 p.m. ET Wednesday when the Boston Celtics visit the Phoenix Suns at the Footprint Center in Phoenix. The Celtics (20-5) are the top team in the Eastern Conference, while the Suns (16-8) are the top team in the Western Conference.
It could be a way too early preview of the NBA Finals. The Celtics are favored by 2.5 points with an over/under of 230.5 points. The Celtics are -135 on the moneyline, while the Suns are +105.
Will the Celtics keep winning?
The Celtics have won seven of their last eight games, including the first two to start the road trip. They have the best offense in the league, scoring 120.6 points per game. They are the best shooting team, ranking No. 1 at converting 40.2% 3-point shots and 84.4% of their free throws. They are third in making 49.4% of shots.
Defensively they rank 13th in allowing 112.6 points per game. Teams make 46.9% of shots, which ranks 17th defensively, and 35.4% of 3-point shots, which ranks 15th.
They are 24th in rebounding at 42.4 per game and 13th defensively in limiting opponents to 43.4 per game.
Key injury statuses to watch are Malcolm Brogdon (illness) and Al Horford (back), who are probable.
Suns to break out of funk?
The Suns have had a great start to the season but have lost two of their last three games after a six-game winning streak ended at the hands of the Houston Rockets.
Phoenix is above average on both ends of the court. The Suns are seventh in scoring 116.5 points per game. They are eighth in making 48.0% of field goal attempts and third in converting 38.4% of 3-point shots.
Defensively they hold teams to 109.3 points per game, which ranks sixth, but allow teams to make 46.5% of 3-point shots. That ranks 21st defensively. They also allow teams to make 46.4% of field goal attempts, which ranks 11th.
Reserve guard Duane Washington Jr. is out with a hip injury, and Torrey Craig is questionable with a groin injury. Chris Paul remains out with his heel injury, as does forward Cameron Johnson.
Expect Cameron Payne and Landry Shamet to man the point guard position, with injuries taking Washington and Paul out of the mix.
Celtics/Rockets Betting Prediction
Betting trends show the Celtics are 1-6 against the spread in the last seven meetings in Phoenix, and the under is 6-1 in those games. Overall the Suns are 10-3 against the spread in the last 13 meetings. The under is 5-2 in the last seven, regardless of location.
Public betting data shows 51% of bets are on the Celtics to cover the spread, while 56% of bets placed on the point total take the over.
This game has a chance to have a high pace, which favors the Celtics. Expect their defense to do enough to cover the 2.5 points.
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