The Phoenix Suns (7-24), 12-point underdogs, will travel to TD Garden to go head-to-head against the Boston Celtics (18-11). The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 219 points and it will air on NBATV at 7:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, December 19, 2018.
Phoenix Suns at Boston Celtics Betting Odds
The Suns come in on a high note after easily covering the 1.5-point spread against the New York Knicks in their last contest, 128-110. The Celtics, meanwhile, were topped by the Detroit Pistons, 113-104, and failed to cover as 2-point underdogs. Both games finished over their projected point totals. The Phoenix game finished 16.5 points over the projected point total of 221.5, while the Boston game went 1.5 points over the projected point total of 215.5.
Phoenix played a nearly flawless game. They had a fantastically low turnover percentage of 6.3 (better than their season average of 14.6) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.571 (above their season average of 0.510). New York had marks of 9.0 and 0.449, respectively, for those same stats. Boston, on the other hand, forced Detroit into a turnover percentage of 15.9 (above their season average of 12.0). Boston was led by Kyrie Irving, who recorded 26 points and eight rebounds. Meanwhile, Devin Booker fueled Phoenix with 38 points and seven rebounds.
In their first matchup this year, Irving led the Celtics to a 116-109 victory. He was the game’s top overall scorer with 39 points. Boston was unable to cover as a 10-point favorite and the two teams combined for 225 points, which was over the projected point total of 215. Boston won the rebounding battle. The Celtics had more offensive rebounds (17 vs. four), defensive rebounds (39 vs. 38) and total rebounds (56 vs. 42).
Oddsmakers have a tendency to place the total high when the Suns are involved, as 58.1 percent of their games have ended under the O/U total. Phoenix heads into the game with records of 7-24 straight up (SU) and 12-19 against the spread (ATS).
Unlike Phoenix, games featuring the Celtics have typically finished over the total (58.6 percent). Additionally, Boston is 18-11 SU and 15-14 ATS.
From an effective field goal percentage perspective, Boston should have a significant advantage. The Celtics defense ranks first in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.500), while the Phoenix offense is ranked 22nd in effective field goal percentage (0.512). It could also be an error-filled game for the Suns’ offense, which ranks 29th in ball security (turnover percentage of 15.5 percent). They’ll be going up against the stingy defense of the Celtics, which forces the fifth-most turnovers in the league (15.3 percent).
Phoenix Suns at Boston Celtics Pick
NBA Pick: SU Winner – Celtics, ATS Winner – Celtics, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Celtics rank 15 in second chance points per game (13.172413793103448) while the Suns rank 27 (10.225806451612904).
- Boston ranks fourth in points off turnovers allowed per game (14.8) while Phoenix ranks 29th (20.1).
- The Celtics rank sixth in steals allowed per game (7.1) while the Suns rank 28th (9.2).
- Boston ranks third in assists allowed per game (22.1) while Phoenix ranks 23rd (25.0).
- Boston ranks 3 in three pointers attempted per game (36.51724137931034) while Phoenix ranks 18 (30.193548387096776).
- The Celtics rank fourth in points allowed in the paint per game (44.3) while the Suns rank 28th (52.3).
- The Celtics rank 9 in rebounds per game (46.37931034482759) while the Suns rank 27 (40.516129032258064).
- Boston ranks 16 in blocks per game (5.137931034482759) while Phoenix ranks 26 (4.354838709677419).
- Boston ranks sixth in fast break points allowed per game (11.2) while Phoenix ranks last (16.9).
- Boston is 7-2 when they hold opponents under 100 points, while Phoenix is 3-1.
- In games where they reach the century mark, the Celtics are 18-8 and the Suns are 6-12.
- Phoenix is 4-11 ATS on the road, while Boston is 8-4 ATS at home.
- Of the Suns’ 15 road games, they have 8 unders and 7 overs.
- The Celtics have 7 overs and 5 unders in 12 home games.
Bettings Trends:
- In their last five games, Phoenix and Boston are both 4-1 ATS.
- The Suns have 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games, while the Celtics have 3 overs and 2 unders
- During their last five games, the Suns have scored an average of 107.8 points per game (4.7 above their season average) and allowed an average of 106.4 points per game (6.2 below their season average).
- The Celtics’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 17.2, up from 7.4 for the season.
