NBA Spreads: Boston Celtics at Phoenix Suns
Written by Steve Janus - Google +
The Phoenix Suns will look to end a three-game losing streak when they host the Boston Celtics. This is the first meeting between these two teams this season, but the Suns swept Boston in both of their games last season. Tip-off is set for 10:30 ET at US Airways Center.
The Celtics opened up a four-game road trip with a 88-78 win at Portland last night. Boston is 13-7 on the road this season, but are 3-4 in their last seven away from home.
The Suns fell 114-107 at home against the Bobcats on Wednesday, and have now lost three straight since winning a season-high five games in a row.
Taking a look at the NBA spreads for tonight’s action, oddsmakers have the Celtics favored by 4-points over the Suns with the total set at 201.
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The Celtics really put together a solid game on both sides of the ball against the Trail Blazers. Boston shot 46.9% from the field, while holding Portland to just 36.7%. The statistic that really sticks out is the fact that Boston shot 26 fewer shots and still won by 10 points. The Celtics were 23-33 from the free throw line, while the Trail Blazers went just 8-13.
Ray Allen led five Celtics in double figures with 18 points, but it was Kevin Garnett who really made the difference. Garnett scored just 10 points, but finished with nine rebounds and nine assists. Paul Pierce added 17, Rajon Rondo chipped in 11, and Kendrick Perkins had 10 points and nine boards in just 21 minutes.
The big concern for the Celtics is the fact that Pierce was forced to leave the game with a knee injury, and its unclear whether or not he will be able to play tonight at Phoenix.
The Suns got a a big time performance from Steve Nash in their loss to the Bobcats. Nash had a game-high 27 points and 15 assists. Vince Carter came out of a slump to score 22 points, Marcin Gortat continued to play well with 16 points and seven rebounds off the bench, and Jared Dudley added 13 as well.
The biggest problem for the Suns seems to be their inability to get consistent production out of their go to guys. Grant Hill averaged just over 21 points in the final four games of the Suns five-game winning streak, but is averaging just under 10 in the last three games. Channing Frye averaged just under 19 points during the winning streak, but like Hill is averaging right around 10 points over the last three.
I think this is a difficult game for the Celtics, especially if Pierce cant play. Boston had to play at home on Tuesday, then had to travel to play Portland last night, and now has to play the second of a back-to-back. Not to mention the Celtics have a big time game against the Lakers on Sunday. Good time to fade the Celtics and take the four points.
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