The Boston Celtics look to shake off an embarrassing loss to the Chicago Bulls when they take on the Phoenix Suns at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. This will be played on Thursday, April 22, tipping at 7:00 p.m. ET.
Keep reading our Suns vs. Celtics picks and predictions to get a better idea of which side you’ll want to be on in this game. Just make sure you keep an eye on the injury report, as there’s a lot of uncertainty surrounding this contest.
Suns vs Celtics odds
Odds via the Covers Line, an average comprised of odds from multiple sportsbooks.
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NBA sharp money and line movement report
By Patrick EversonThis line is a big mover at PointsBet USA, which opened Phoenix -6.5 overnight and by lunch hour reached -1.5, where the number remains at 4:45 p.m. ET. The Celtics are drawing 52 percent of spread bets and 65 percent of spread money against the Suns, who won't have Jae Crowder (ankle) in the lineup. The total moved from 219.5 to 221, with 57 percent of tickets on the Over, but 67 percent of money on the Under.
Check out the full line movement for this gameSuns at Celtics betting preview
Injuries
Suns: Abdel Nader F (Doubtful).
Celtics: Marcus Smart G (Questionable), Jaylen Brown G (Doubtful), Evan Fournier G (Out), Robert Williams III C (Out).
Find our latest NBA injury reports.
Betting trend to know
The Celtics are 4-1 ATS in their last five games. Find more NBA betting trends for Suns vs. Celtics.
Against the spread (ATS) pick
The Celtics were without Kemba Walker and Marcus Smart in Monday’s loss to the Bulls, and they could very well be missing the latter against the Suns tonight. However, Boston is getting a lot of points in this game, and Brad Stevens’ group also happens to be facing a Phoenix team that is on the second night of a back-to-back. The Suns went into Philadelphia and won a close game against the 76ers, making it two hard-fought road victories in a row for Phoenix. At some point, this team is going to get a little fatigued. With a spread as large as this one, there’s plenty of room for Phoenix to win without covering.
Over the last 10 games, the Celtics are seventh in the NBA in defensive rating, and it’s no coincidence that Boston is 8-2 in that span. Boston should be able to come out and do a decent job of defending this Phoenix group. The Celts will likely send a healthy dose of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown (if he plays, but he's doubtful) at Devin Booker, and it wouldn’t be all that shocking if the two wings spend some time on Chris Paul. Boston wasn’t shy about using those guys on Chicago’s guards last game. Leaving Mikal Bridges open from deep isn’t ideal, but it certainly beats leaving rookie Payton Pritchard to fend for himself against Paul, who is known for embarrassing younger players in isolation situations.
Offensively, Tatum and Brown will have to work against Bridges, who is one of the game’s truly elite wing defenders. However, the two of them are All-Stars, so it would be surprising if they can’t get it going in some capacity (if Brown plays, of course) — especially at home.
PREDICTION: Celtics +5.5 (-110)
Over/Under pick
While the Celtics are seventh in the NBA in defensive rating over the last 10 games, the Suns are fifth in the league in that category over the course of the entire season. Phoenix really defends at a high level, and the team should be able to make things tough on Boston’s scorers in this one.
Deandre Ayton has been a force in the paint for the Suns lately, serving as the team’s defensive anchor on a nightly basis. Meanwhile, the Celtics have a good shot of at least slowing down the Suns here, and that’s especially true if either Smart or Robert Williams III ends up playing.
PREDICTION: Under 220.5 (-110)
Player prop pick
Stay tuned for an additional prop pick when markets are live!
Suns vs Celtics betting card
- Celtics +5.5 (-110)
- Under 220.5 (-110)
Picks made on 4/22/2021 at 1:30 a.m. ET
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