It figures to be a high-scoring affair as the Boston Celtics (10-2), 3.5-point underdogs, travel to Phoenix to take on the Suns (7-4). The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 227.5 points and action gets underway at 9 p.m. ET on Monday, November 18, 2019.
Boston Celtics vs. Phoenix Suns ATS Odds
The last time the Suns took the court, they easily covered the 8-point spread against the Atlanta Hawks, 128-112. The Celtics, on the other hand, were beat by the Sacramento Kings, 100-99, and failed to cover as 7-point underdogs. The Phoenix game finished 10.5 points over the projected point total of 229.5, while the Boston game went 24 points under the projected point total of 223.
Phoenix played a nearly perfect game. They had a fantastic free throw rate of 0.365 (above their season average of 0.216) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.571 (above their season average of 0.551). For those same stats, Atlanta put up marks of 0.264 and 0.484, respectively. Boston, meanwhile, did a terrific job of converting from the charity stripe (21-24; 87.5 percent). Kelly Oubre Jr. had a good game for Phoenix with 30 points and seven rebounds. Meanwhile, Boston was lifted by Daniel Theis, who put up 14 points and 10 rebounds.
This series was highly contested last year, as the teams split their two games last season. The Suns won the most recent game 111-103. Phoenix won the rebounding battle. The Suns had more offensive rebounds (21 vs. 9), defensive rebounds (35 vs. 28) and total rebounds (56 vs. 37). This will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams.
Vegas has typically been fairly accurate when setting the O/U total of Celtics games, with 6 unders compared to 5 overs. Boston holds records of 10-2 straight up (SU) and 6-4-1 against the spread (ATS).
In opposition of Boston, games featuring the Suns have a slight tendency to finish over the projected point total (54.5 percent). Moreover, Phoenix is 7-4 SU and 9-2 ATS.
This showdown figures to be a shootout as a pair of the league’s premier offenses go head-to-head. Phoenix ranks fourth with 109.9 points per 100 possessions and Boston is third (110.4). Also, the Celtics rank first in turnover percentage (11.0 percent), while the Suns rank fourth in opponents’ turnover percentage (16.4 percent).
Celtics vs. Suns Free Pick
Free Pick: SU Winner – Suns, ATS Winner – Celtics, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Celtics rank fifth in assists allowed per game (21.7) while the Suns rank 15th (23.7).
- Phoenix ranks seventh in rebounds allowed per game (44.2) while Boston ranks 26th (49.2).
- The Celtics rank first in steals allowed per game (5.1) while the Suns rank 17th (8.0).
- Phoenix ranks first in points off turnovers per game (22.3) while Boston ranks 17th (17.2).
- Phoenix ranks fourth in fast break points per game (16.3) while Boston ranks 14th (13.1).
- The Celtics rank third in blocks per game (6.1) while the Suns rank 21st (3.9).
- The Suns rank third in three pointers allowed per game (29.3) while the Celtics rank 15th (33.6).
- Boston ranks 24th in second chance points per game (11.6) while Phoenix ranks 26th (10.8).
- Boston ranks third in points allowed in the paint per game (42.8) while Phoenix ranks 21st (50.5).
- Phoenix is 1-1 when they allow under 100 points, while Boston is 2-0.
- In games where they score more than 100 points, the Suns are 7-3 and the Celtics are 10-0.
- Phoenix is 6-2 ATS at home, while Boston is 3-2-1 ATS on the road.
- The total has gone under in 4 of the Celtics’ 6 road games, while 6 of the Suns’ 8 home games have gone over.
Bettings Trends:
- In their last five games, Boston and Phoenix are both 3-2 ATS.
- The Celtics have 3 overs and 2 unders over their last five games, while the Suns have 5 overs
- The Celtics’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 8.2, up from 8.0 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Suns have scored an average of 120.6 points per game (3.0 above their season average) and allowed an average of 116.0 points per game (5.5 above their season average).
