Boston @ Phoenix preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 19, 2018 ) Phoenix 111, Boston 103

The Boston Celtics will try to start a new winning streak Monday when they continue a challenging road trip at the Phoenix Suns. After opening the five-game trip with a victory at Golden State to stretch their streak to 10 wins in a row, the Celtics fell 100-99 at Sacramento on Sunday.

A runner by Marcus Smart hung on the rim for a moment before falling off at the buzzer as Boston fell to 5-2 on the road. "That ball was just sitting on the rim, and we didn't deserve it," guard Jaylen Brown told reporters after his team shot 41.5 percent from the floor. While the Celtics fell shy of the 100-point mark for the first time since their season-opening loss at Philadelphia, the Suns are having no issues on the offensive end and knocked off Atlanta 128-112 on Thursday. Phoenix, which is 3-2 on its six-game homestand, is averaging 127 points over its last three contests.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Boston, FS Arizona (Phoenix)

ABOUT THE CELTICS (10-2): Smart's miss at the buzzer ended a 2-for-16 shooting performance for Boston's gritty guard, although he did have nine assists and zero turnovers. Kemba Walker was held under 20 points for the third time this season and did not make a 3-pointer for the first time since Feb. 14. Brown had a string of four straight games with at least 20 points snapped Sunday despite making a season-high four from beyond the arc.

ABOUT THE SUNS (7-4): Kelly Oubre Jr. scored a season-high 30 points and Devin Booker added 27 in the Suns' win over the Hawks. Dario Saric contributed 23 points - also a season high - on 9-of-12 shooting, and the veteran is 16-for-23 from the floor over his last two games as he begins to assert himself in the team's dynamic offense. "I just think Dario is a guy that I need to incorporate more," coach Monty Williams told reporters. "He makes the right plays, he can shoot the ball, he's efficient."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Celtics PF Daniel Theis recorded his first double-double of the season with 14 points and 10 rebounds at Sacramento.

2. Booker is averaging 31 points in seven career games versus Boston, his highest mark against any team.

3. The road team won both meetings last season.

PREDICTION: Suns 111, Celtics 107