Phoenix Suns vs. Boston Celtics: Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 2/3/2023

Time: 7:30 p.m. ET

Venue: TD Garden, Boston, MA

Where to watch: NBA TV

DraftKings: Celtics -9.5

FanDuel: Celtics -9.5

BetMGM: Celtics -9.5

Caesars: Celtics -9.5

Suns: 27-26

Celtics: 37-15

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Suns: lost 132-100 vs. Hawks

Celtics: won 139-96 vs. Nets

If you tuned into ESPN on Wednesday, then God bless you because you sat through two blowouts that the matchup here on Friday is predicated around. The Phoenix Suns got Molly whopped at the hands of the Atlanta Hawks, while the Boston Celtics just absolutely lambasted the Brooklyn Nets at home.

Put all of that together and you have one heck of a matchup on Friday that could also result in another blowout for the Celtics getting a victory while the Suns just completely dying on the TD Garden floor.

Phoenix is coming off one of its worst performances of the season, losing 132-100 to Atlanta period now it's not the fact that they actually lost to Atlanta, because the Hawks are actually very respectable. It's the fact that suddenly in the blink of an eye after two decent victories, that the Suns could just fall back that the way that they have and completely look lost against an Atlanta team that is still trying to find its identity.

Mikal Bridges led the way once again with 23 points by making all ten of his free throws, and DeAndre Ayton finished with twenty points and nine rebounds in just 27 minutes. Meanwhile, if you're looking for any sort of hope from Chris Paul, he had three points and three assists in 27 minutes while missing five of his six shot attempts. It is about as bad in phoenix as you could possibly imagine.

“They were a lot faster then us especially in transition and we just couldn’t make a shot for whatever reason,” Suns coach Monty Williams said.

The Suns had gone on a run of six wins in seven games and seemingly looked like they were on their way back without Devin Booker on the roster. But then you lose a game like this in that fashion, and things are just suddenly backwards. It was like the loss to the Dallas Mavericks on January 26 where they did not have Luka doncic in the lineup. The fact that they lost that game at while favored is incredible to me, much like it was incredible to me that phoenix was laying 1.5 points and still losing by 32.

The Celtics meanwhile have won two straight after losing three in a row with hard fought victories in the tune of beating the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday and then following it up with an absolute dominant performance at home against Kyrie Irving and the Nets.

Boston annihilated Brooklyn the other night to the tune of 139-96. It was so bad that Boston led 46-16 after the first quarter and there was no hope after that. Jayson Tatum finished with 31 points on 12 of 19 shooting while making seven threes, and Jaylen Brown also finished with seven made threes and 26 points in utter dominant fashion.

“You can tell we were ready to go from the jump,” Tatum said.

Surprisingly enough, the win over Brooklyn was the first time Boston had covered in seven games. They were on a 0-6 run against the spread in which they were favored in five out of six games. Very weird time to say the least, but at least Boston seems to be getting back on track.

There is good news and bad news with the Suns. The good news is that Booker will be returning as soon as Tuesday. The bad news, is that tomorrow is not Tuesday. Another long night lies ahead for Phoenix. Celtics 127, Suns 99

Suns are 1-10 ATS on Friday this season.

Suns are 2-10 ATS revenging an outright loss as a favorite this season.

Celtics are 14-12 ATS as a home favorite this season.

Celtics are 18-23 ATS after a division game the last 3 seasons.

PG: Chris Paul

SG: Damion Lee

SF: Mikal Bridges

PF: Cameron Johnson

C: Deandre Ayton

PG: Malcolm Brogdon

SG: Jaylen Brown

SF: Jayson Tatum

PF: Al Horford

C: Robert Williams III

Injury report

Suns: Devin Booker (groin, out), Cam Payne (foot, out), Landry Shamet (foot, out)

Celtics: Marcus Smart (ankle, out)

Points: Devin Booker -- 27.1

Rebounds: Deandre Ayton -- 10.1

Assists: Chris Paul -- 8.5

Points: Jayson Tatum -- 31.1

Rebounds: Jayson Tatum -- 8.7

Assists: Marcus Smart -- 7.2