Phoenix fans had high hopes when the team added Chris Paul in the offseason – but few could have expected Paul to orchestrate such a stunning turnaround. Paul’s 8.8 assists-per-game average ranks fourth in the NBA, and is his highest mark since 2016-17.
The Phoenix Suns aren’t going anywhere in the race for top spot in the Western Conference – in fact, they’re in great position to land the No. 1 seed as they continue an impressive Eastern Conference road trip Thursday night in Boston. The Suns recorded back-to-back narrow road wins over East contenders Philadelphia and Milwaukee to improve to 19-7 away from Arizona, and are now just a game-and-a-half back of the Utah Jazz atop the West standings.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The Celtics have been home underdogs just five times so far this season – and they’ve fared reasonably well in those games, going 2-3 straight up and 3-2 against the spread. They’ll need to be their sharpest to improve those records Thursday, with the Suns having gone 13-6 SU and 10-8-1 ATS as road favourites in 2020-21. Sports Interaction bettors like the Celtics’ chances of converting ATS in this one, with 61 per cent of participants siding with the home side.
The total is set at 219, with the Over and Under carrying identical -110 odds. And as with most NBA games in this era, the betting public is squarely on the side of the Over, with 59 per cent of Sports Interaction respondents taking the O219. The Suns were once a strong Under play but are 10-3 O/U in their last 13 games to move to 31-27 O/U for the season. Boston, on the other hand, has gone 9-4 to the Under in its previous 13 to even its O/U record at 29-29.
Phoenix Suns
Phoenix fans had high hopes when the team added Chris Paul in the offseason – but few could have expected Paul to orchestrate such a stunning turnaround. Paul’s 8.8 assists-per-game average ranks fourth in the NBA, and is his highest mark since 2016-17. His 13-assist effort in Monday’s overtime win over Milwaukee moved him past Magic Johnson and into fifth-place on the NBA’s all-time assist list; he’s just 181 assists shy of Mark Jackson for fourth.
Boston Celtics
Containing Paul, Devin Booker and the rest of the Suns’ surging offence will be a stiff test for a Celtics side that ranks in the middle of the pack in scoring defence. But the bigger priority might be improvement at the offensive end: Boston shot just 35.5 per cent from the floor in the last meeting between the teams, a 100-91 Phoenix win on Feb. 7. With Jaylen Brown sidelined due to injury, Jayson Tatum and Kemba Walker combined to shoot 12-for-42 in defeat.
NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Suns vs. Celtics?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 22 Apr 1:28pm | PHO | -4 -110 | O +219.5 -110 |
| Closing 22 Apr 10:56pm | PHO | -1.5 -110 | O +220 -110 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Suns Team Leaders
| Points |
25.55 |
| Assists |
8.89 |
| Rebounds |
10.54 |
| FG% |
62.6 |
| Steals |
1.41 |
| Blocks |
1.17 |
| Points |
26.44 |
| Assists |
5.69 |
| Rebounds |
8.13 |
| FG% |
72.4 |
| Steals |
1.5 |
| Blocks |
1.75 |
| Points |
27.32 |
| Assists |
8.55 |
| Rebounds |
11.82 |
| FG% |
100 |
| Steals |
1.15 |
| Blocks |
1.09 |
| Points |
30.6 |
| Assists |
6 |
| Rebounds |
9.8 |
| FG% |
100 |
| Steals |
1.2 |
| Blocks |
3 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Celtics Team Leaders
| Points |
25.55 |
| Assists |
8.89 |
| Rebounds |
10.54 |
| FG% |
62.6 |
| Steals |
1.41 |
| Blocks |
1.17 |
| Points |
26.44 |
| Assists |
5.69 |
| Rebounds |
8.13 |
| FG% |
72.4 |
| Steals |
1.5 |
| Blocks |
1.75 |
| Points |
27.32 |
| Assists |
8.55 |
| Rebounds |
11.82 |
| FG% |
100 |
| Steals |
1.15 |
| Blocks |
1.09 |
| Points |
30.6 |
| Assists |
6 |
| Rebounds |
9.8 |
| FG% |
100 |
| Steals |
1.2 |
| Blocks |
3 |
Injuries
Torrey Craig (SF)
Dario Saric (SF)
Cameron Johnson (PF)
Cameron Payne (PG)
Cameron Payne (PG)
Ty-Shon Alexander (PG)
Jae Crowder (SF)
Deandre Ayton (C)
Cameron Johnson (PF)
Cameron Johnson (PF)
Kemba Walker (PG)
Robert Williams III (C)
Kemba Walker (PG)
Robert Williams III (C)
Robert Williams III (C)
Kemba Walker (PG)
Evan Fournier (SG)
Kemba Walker (PG)
Tristan Thompson (C)
Evan Fournier (SG)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Torrey Craig (SF) | Prob Sun | Knee - 09 / 07 / 21 | 2-3 | 3-1-1 | + - |
|
Craig is bothered by a right knee contusion, but it is anticipated that he will take the court in Game 3 of the NBA Finals against the Bucks. |
|||||
| Dario Saric (SF) | Out indefinitely | Knee - 06 / 07 / 21 | 3-3 | 4-1-1 | + - |
|
Saric has torn his right ACL and he will miss an extended period. |
|||||
| Cameron Johnson (PF) | Ques Tues | Illness - 30 / 06 / 21 | 3-4 | 5-1-1 | + - |
|
Johnson is ailing from an illness, and it is unclear if he will take on the Bucks in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. |
|||||
| Cameron Payne (PG) | Prob Sat | Ankle - 25 / 06 / 21 | 4-6 | 5-4-1 | + - |
|
Payne is nursing a left ankle sprain, but it is anticipated that he will be available for Game 4 of the Western Conference final versus the Clippers. |
|||||
| Cameron Payne (PG) | day-to-day | Ankle - 24 / 06 / 21 | 4-6 | 5-4-1 | + - |
|
Payne was lifted from Thursday's game with a left ankle injury, and he will not return. |
|||||
| Ty-Shon Alexander (PG) | Ques Wed | Illness - 03 / 06 / 21 | 11-6 | 9-7-1 | + - |
|
Alexander is ailing from an illness, and it is uncertain if he will be active for Game 2 of the Western Conference second round against the Nuggets. |
|||||
| Jae Crowder (SF) | Out Sun | Rest - 16 / 05 / 21 | 14-8 | 11-10-2 | + - |
|
Crowder will not suit up for Sunday's tilt against the Spurs, as he will be given a day of rest. |
|||||
| Deandre Ayton (C) | Prob Sun | Knee - 13 / 05 / 21 | 14-10 | 12-11-2 | + - |
|
Ayton is dealing with left knee soreness, but it is anticipated that he will be available for Game 1 of the Western Conference first round versus the Lakers. |
|||||
| Cameron Johnson (PF) | Prob Sun | Wrist - 06 / 05 / 21 | 15-12 | 15-11-2 | + - |
|
Johnson has been out of commission due to a right wrist sprain, but he is expected to take on the Lakers in the Western Conference first round. |
|||||
| Cameron Johnson (PF) | Prob Sun | Wrist - 02 / 05 / 21 | 17-13 | 18-11-2 | + - |
|
Johnson is tending to a sprained right wrist, but he is likely to take the court Sunday versus the Thunder. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kemba Walker (PG) | Out Tues | Knee - 29 / 05 / 21 | 1-2 | 3-0 | + - |
|
Walker is bothered by left knee soreness, and he will not dress for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Nets. |
|||||
| Robert Williams III (C) | Out Tues | Ankle - 28 / 05 / 21 | 1-2 | 3-0 | + - |
|
Williams III is nursing a left ankle sprain, and he will not take on the Nets in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
|||||
| Kemba Walker (PG) | Prob Fri | Knee - 27 / 05 / 21 | 1-2 | 3-0 | + - |
|
Walker is managing a left knee medial bone contusion, but it is likely that he will take the court to face the Nets in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
|||||
| Robert Williams III (C) | Prob Tues | Toe - 24 / 05 / 21 | 1-3 | 3-1 | + - |
|
Williams III is expected to dress for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round despite left foot turf toe. |
|||||
| Robert Williams III (C) | Prob Sat | Toe - 19 / 05 / 21 | 2-3 | 3-2 | + - |
|
Williams is bothered by left foot turf toe, but it is projected that he will be available versus the Nets in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
|||||
| Kemba Walker (PG) | Ques Tues | Neck - 16 / 05 / 21 | 3-3 | 3-3 | + - |
|
Walker is nursing left cervical nerve irritation, and it is up in the air if he will take the court for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Play-In against the Wizards. |
|||||
| Evan Fournier (SG) | Prob Tues | Knee - 16 / 05 / 21 | 3-3 | 3-3 | + - |
|
Fournier is bothered by a right knee injury, but it is anticipated that he will be active for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Play-In versus the Wizards. |
|||||
| Kemba Walker (PG) | Out Sat | Rest - 14 / 05 / 21 | 3-4 | 3-4 | + - |
|
Walker will not take on the Timberwolves on Saturday as he will be given a day of rest. |
|||||
| Tristan Thompson (C) | Prob Tues | Pectoral - 14 / 05 / 21 | 3-4 | 3-4 | + - |
|
Thompson is tending to a left pectoral strain, but it is projected that he will dress versus the Wizards for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Play-In. |
|||||
| Evan Fournier (SG) | Prob Sat | Knee - 14 / 05 / 21 | 3-4 | 3-4 | + - |
|
Fournier is bothered by a right knee hyper flexion, but he is expected to face the Timberwolves on Saturday. |
|||||
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 22 Apr 1:28pm PHO -4 -110 O +219.5 -110 Closing 22 Apr 10:56pm PHO -1.5 -110 O +220 -110 -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Suns Team Leaders
Points 25.55
Assists 8.89
Rebounds 10.54
FG% 62.6
Steals 1.41
Blocks 1.17
Points 26.44
Assists 5.69
Rebounds 8.13
FG% 72.4
Steals 1.5
Blocks 1.75
Points 27.32
Assists 8.55
Rebounds 11.82
FG% 100
Steals 1.15
Blocks 1.09
Points 30.6
Assists 6
Rebounds 9.8
FG% 100
Steals 1.2
Blocks 3
-
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Celtics Team Leaders
Points 25.55
Assists 8.89
Rebounds 10.54
FG% 62.6
Steals 1.41
Blocks 1.17
Points 26.44
Assists 5.69
Rebounds 8.13
FG% 72.4
Steals 1.5
Blocks 1.75
Points 27.32
Assists 8.55
Rebounds 11.82
FG% 100
Steals 1.15
Blocks 1.09
Points 30.6
Assists 6
Rebounds 9.8
FG% 100
Steals 1.2
Blocks 3
-
Injuries
Torrey Craig (SF)
Prob Sun Knee - 09 / 07 / 21Dario Saric (SF)
Out indefinitely Knee - 06 / 07 / 21Cameron Johnson (PF)
Ques Tues Illness - 30 / 06 / 21Cameron Payne (PG)
Prob Sat Ankle - 25 / 06 / 21Cameron Payne (PG)
day-to-day Ankle - 24 / 06 / 21Ty-Shon Alexander (PG)
Ques Wed Illness - 03 / 06 / 21Jae Crowder (SF)
Out Sun Rest - 16 / 05 / 21Deandre Ayton (C)
Prob Sun Knee - 13 / 05 / 21Cameron Johnson (PF)
Prob Sun Wrist - 06 / 05 / 21Cameron Johnson (PF)
Prob Sun Wrist - 02 / 05 / 21Kemba Walker (PG)
Out Tues Knee - 29 / 05 / 21Robert Williams III (C)
Out Tues Ankle - 28 / 05 / 21Kemba Walker (PG)
Prob Fri Knee - 27 / 05 / 21Robert Williams III (C)
Prob Tues Toe - 24 / 05 / 21Robert Williams III (C)
Prob Sat Toe - 19 / 05 / 21Kemba Walker (PG)
Ques Tues Neck - 16 / 05 / 21Evan Fournier (SG)
Prob Tues Knee - 16 / 05 / 21Kemba Walker (PG)
Out Sat Rest - 14 / 05 / 21Tristan Thompson (C)
Prob Tues Pectoral - 14 / 05 / 21Evan Fournier (SG)
Prob Sat Knee - 14 / 05 / 21Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Torrey Craig (SF) Prob Sun Knee - 09 / 07 / 21 2-3 3-1-1 + - Craig is bothered by a right knee contusion, but it is anticipated that he will take the court in Game 3 of the NBA Finals against the Bucks.
Dario Saric (SF) Out indefinitely Knee - 06 / 07 / 21 3-3 4-1-1 + - Saric has torn his right ACL and he will miss an extended period.
Cameron Johnson (PF) Ques Tues Illness - 30 / 06 / 21 3-4 5-1-1 + - Johnson is ailing from an illness, and it is unclear if he will take on the Bucks in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
Cameron Payne (PG) Prob Sat Ankle - 25 / 06 / 21 4-6 5-4-1 + - Payne is nursing a left ankle sprain, but it is anticipated that he will be available for Game 4 of the Western Conference final versus the Clippers.
Cameron Payne (PG) day-to-day Ankle - 24 / 06 / 21 4-6 5-4-1 + - Payne was lifted from Thursday's game with a left ankle injury, and he will not return.
Ty-Shon Alexander (PG) Ques Wed Illness - 03 / 06 / 21 11-6 9-7-1 + - Alexander is ailing from an illness, and it is uncertain if he will be active for Game 2 of the Western Conference second round against the Nuggets.
Jae Crowder (SF) Out Sun Rest - 16 / 05 / 21 14-8 11-10-2 + - Crowder will not suit up for Sunday's tilt against the Spurs, as he will be given a day of rest.
Deandre Ayton (C) Prob Sun Knee - 13 / 05 / 21 14-10 12-11-2 + - Ayton is dealing with left knee soreness, but it is anticipated that he will be available for Game 1 of the Western Conference first round versus the Lakers.
Cameron Johnson (PF) Prob Sun Wrist - 06 / 05 / 21 15-12 15-11-2 + - Johnson has been out of commission due to a right wrist sprain, but he is expected to take on the Lakers in the Western Conference first round.
Cameron Johnson (PF) Prob Sun Wrist - 02 / 05 / 21 17-13 18-11-2 + - Johnson is tending to a sprained right wrist, but he is likely to take the court Sunday versus the Thunder.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Kemba Walker (PG) Out Tues Knee - 29 / 05 / 21 1-2 3-0 + - Walker is bothered by left knee soreness, and he will not dress for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Nets.
Robert Williams III (C) Out Tues Ankle - 28 / 05 / 21 1-2 3-0 + - Williams III is nursing a left ankle sprain, and he will not take on the Nets in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Kemba Walker (PG) Prob Fri Knee - 27 / 05 / 21 1-2 3-0 + - Walker is managing a left knee medial bone contusion, but it is likely that he will take the court to face the Nets in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Robert Williams III (C) Prob Tues Toe - 24 / 05 / 21 1-3 3-1 + - Williams III is expected to dress for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round despite left foot turf toe.
Robert Williams III (C) Prob Sat Toe - 19 / 05 / 21 2-3 3-2 + - Williams is bothered by left foot turf toe, but it is projected that he will be available versus the Nets in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Kemba Walker (PG) Ques Tues Neck - 16 / 05 / 21 3-3 3-3 + - Walker is nursing left cervical nerve irritation, and it is up in the air if he will take the court for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Play-In against the Wizards.
Evan Fournier (SG) Prob Tues Knee - 16 / 05 / 21 3-3 3-3 + - Fournier is bothered by a right knee injury, but it is anticipated that he will be active for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Play-In versus the Wizards.
Kemba Walker (PG) Out Sat Rest - 14 / 05 / 21 3-4 3-4 + - Walker will not take on the Timberwolves on Saturday as he will be given a day of rest.
Tristan Thompson (C) Prob Tues Pectoral - 14 / 05 / 21 3-4 3-4 + - Thompson is tending to a left pectoral strain, but it is projected that he will dress versus the Wizards for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Play-In.
Evan Fournier (SG) Prob Sat Knee - 14 / 05 / 21 3-4 3-4 + - Fournier is bothered by a right knee hyper flexion, but he is expected to face the Timberwolves on Saturday.