The Boston Celtics (10-2) visit the Phoenix Suns (7-4) Monday at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET. We analyze the Celtics-Suns odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.
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Celtics at Suns: Key injuries
Celtics
- SF Gordon Hayward (hand) out
Suns
- PG Ty Jerome (ankle) out
Celtics at Suns: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated Monday at 2 p.m. ET.
Prediction
Suns 110, Celtics 102
Moneyline (ML)
The SUNS are getting -154 odds at home against the Eastern Conference-leading Celtics. Boston is 5-2 away from home and coming off a 100-99 loss to the Sacramento Kings on Sunday as it heads into the third installment of a five-game road trip. Phoenix is 5-3 at home and coming off of a 128-112 beatdown of the Atlanta Hawks. The Celtics are on the second half of a back-to-back while the Suns have been off since Thursday’s win.
Phoenix has had a well-balanced offense of late with four different leading scorers over its last four games. Boston has had three different point leaders over its last four games. The Suns lead the league with a true shooting percentage of 59.3 as a team. The Celtics rank 15th at 56.2%.
Take the home side for a $6.50 profit on a $10 bet.
Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
The better play Monday is to take the SUNS on the spread of -3.5 (-106). They’ll need to win by just four points against a tired opponent for a $9.43 return on the same $10.
The Suns are 9-2 overall against the spread and 6-2 at home. The Celtics are 6-4 overall and just 3-3 as the road team. Phoenix covers the spread by an average of 8.6 points per game while Boston covers by 4.9 PPG. The Suns rank ninth in the NBA with a pace of 104.38 possession per game. The Celtics are 18th at an average of 101.67. Phoenix will be able to pull away late as the Celts tire out.
Over/Under (O/U)
Due to the aforementioned differentials in pace and the Celtics’ back-to-back situation, take the UNDER 225.5 (-115). The Suns are 6-5 against the O/U and top the projection by 3.7 points per game. The Celtics are 5-7 against the projected totals but top the number by one point per game.
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Esten’s NBA betting record: 30-29
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