Boston takes on Phoenix, aims for 4th straight win

Wed, Mar 13, 2024
NBA News (AP)

Phoenix Suns (38-27, sixth in the Western Conference) vs. Boston Celtics (51-14, first in the Eastern Conference)

Boston; Thursday, 7:30 p.m. EDT

BOTTOM LINE: Boston will attempt to prolong its three-game win streak with a victory over Phoenix.

The Celtics have gone 29-3 in home games. Boston is fourth in the NBA giving up only 109.6 points per game while holding opponents to 44.9% shooting.

The Suns are 17-13 on the road. Phoenix is seventh in the Western Conference with 44.0 rebounds per game led by Jusuf Nurkic averaging 10.8.

The 120.8 points per game the Celtics average are 6.5 more points than the Suns give up (114.3). The Suns score 7.4 more points per game (117.0) than the Celtics allow their opponents to score (109.6).

The teams play for the second time this season. In the last matchup on March 10 the Celtics won 117-107 led by 29 points from Jayson Tatum, while Kevin Durant scored 45 points for the Suns.

TOP PERFORMERS: Tatum is averaging 27 points, 8.4 rebounds and 4.9 assists for the Celtics. Derrick White is averaging 12.9 points over the last 10 games.

Durant is averaging 28.5 points, 6.7 rebounds and 5.5 assists for the Suns. Grayson Allen is averaging 3.5 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

Tatum scores 38 and Celtics use 20-0 run to get past Jazz 123-107

Brown has 27 and Tatum adds 26 for the Celtics in 121-99 win over Portland

Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown lead Celtics past Suns 117-107, snapping rare 2-game skid

LAST 10 GAMES: Celtics: 8-2, averaging 121.4 points, 46.0 rebounds, 27.9 assists, 7.0 steals and 7.1 blocks per game while shooting 50.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 104.4 points per game.

Suns: 5-5, averaging 113.6 points, 48.2 rebounds, 24.9 assists, 6.6 steals and 6.0 blocks per game while shooting 46.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 113.9 points.

INJURIES: Celtics: Svi Mykhailiuk: day to day (personal), Jaylen Brown: out (back), Kristaps Porzingis: out (hamstring), Al Horford: out (toe).

Suns: Damion Lee: out (knee), Eric Gordon: day to day (knee), Josh Okogie: day to day (hip), Nassir Little: day to day (knee).

___

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.