The Phoenix Suns may not be deliberately tanking like some others, but they are doing a great job of losing nonetheless. The hapless Suns have lost nine consecutive games and are tied with the Memphis Grizzlies for the worst record in the NBA. With the playoffs long out of the picture, losing is actually a good thing for Phoenix to improve its chances at the top pick in the draft.
Expect the poor results to continue for Phoenix next time out when they host the Boston Celtics. Even though the Suns are at home, they have shown the ability to lose big no matter where the contest is located. The Celtics are a much better team, and even with significant injuries should be able to claim the victory in this matchup.
Don't miss the hardwood action from the Talking Stick Resort Arena at 10 p.m. ET on Monday, March 26, 2018. Catch every moment of the game live on NBATV.
We'll have NBA odds at BookMaker.eu available for this and every game on the NBA Monday schedule.
Odds Analysis
The Suns are 19-53 straight up and 31-39-2 against the spread. Phoenix has gone 12-23-1 against the spread at home this season. It is 30-37-1 attempting to cover as the underdog.
The Celtics are 48-23 straight up and 43-26-2 against the spread. Boston has been fantastic attempting to cover on the road this season, doing so in 24 of 34 attempts. The Celtics are 28-23-2 against the spread as the favorite this season.
Injury Report
The Celtics are currently dealing with some injury issues at guard. The big blow has been the absence of Kyrie Irving due to knee soreness. He is the team’s best player when healthy but has been on the shelf for awhile and it is unclear when he will return. Irving seems very unlikely to play against the Suns.
He is averaging 24.4 points, 5.1 assists and 3.8 rebounds per game this year. Irving is shooting 49.1 percent from the field and 40.8 percent from three-point range.
The Celtics are also without guard Marcus Smart, who will miss the rest of the season after having surgery on his thumb. Smart is targeting a return in the playoffs. He is averaging 10.2 points, 4.8 assists and 1.3 steals per game. Smart is one of the better defensive players in the league.
The Suns are dealing with some significant injuries of their own. Phoenix’s best player, Devin Booker, has missed the past couple of games with a sprained hand and it is unknown if he will be available for this matchup. Booker is averaging 24.9 points, 4.7 assists and 4.5 rebounds per contest this year.
Forward T.J. Warren, another one of the Suns’ best scorers, has a knee injury and his availability is also in doubt. If the Suns don’t have Booker and Warren, it could have a significant effect on the NBA basketball betting spread.
Matchup To Watch
Jayson Tatum vs. Josh Jackson -- The rookie small forwards were the third and fourth overall picks in the draft this year and have both looked solid.
Tatum has stepped in and become a key piece of the Celtics immediately as they are one of the best teams in the NBA. He is averaging 13.6 points and 5.1 rebounds per game and could have a big role in this one of Irving cannot play.
Jackson struggled early on but has looked better as the season has gone forward. He is averaging 12.1 points and 4.5 rebounds per contest and has the ability to be a top-flight defender. Every game down the stretch is big for him to gain NBA experience. Jackson will have to get the better of this matchup to help his team have a shot at the upset.
Free NBA ATS Picks
The Suns don’t have much to gain from playing Booker so it’s possible he sits again even if the hand is close to 100 percent. If that happens, even without Irving, the Celtics shouldn’t have too much trouble.
Boston isn’t playing as well as it did earlier in the season and is dealing with injuries, but has the superior team and should be able to win this road game in NBA basketball betting lines.
NBA Odds: Celtics 114, Suns 106
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