The Phoenix Suns and the Boston Celtics meet for the second time in a week, with Kevin Durant and company visiting Jayson Tatum and company this Friday. The Celtics won the first meeting, but can they do it again versus a Suns team with a healthier lineup this time around? Or, will the Celtics extend their win streak to four games?

Catch this game live on Friday, March 15, 2024 at 7:30 AM, Manila time

Away: Phoenix Suns (38-27/17-13 Away)

Projected Starting Five:

• Devin Booker
• Bradley Beal
• Grayson Allen
• Kevin Durant
• Jusuf Nurkic

After losing to the Celtics at home last Sunday, 117-107, the Suns picked themselves up and scored a 117-111 victory on the road versus the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday. The Suns have gone 3-1 straight up in their last four outings and will look to get back at the Celtics, this time with one of Phoenix’s major weapons back. 

Devin Booker missed the previous meeting with Boston due to an ankle issue, but he looked fine in the Cavs game in which he dropped 27 points with seven assists and six rebounds. With Booker healthy again, the Suns will have its Big Three ready for the rematch against Boston. That also means a lighter load on the shoulders of Kevin Durant, who went off for 45 points in the loss to Boston. Bradley Beal, meanwhile, had 25 points in the same contest.

The Suns covered the spread in their last visit to Beantown in 2023 and are 7-3 ATS in their 10 most receipt trips there, dating back to 2014.

Home: Boston Celtics (51-14/29-3Home)

Projected Starting Five:

• Jrue Holiday 
• Derrick White
• Jaylen Brown (Questionable)
• Jayson Tatum
• Al Horford

It’s the Celtics world in the East and everybody’s just paying rent there. Boston continues to add to their resume, as they just wallopped the Utah Jazz on Wednesday, 123-107. Despite missing a few pieces, the Celtics still dominated the Celtics in Salt Lake City for their third win in a row. Boston did not have Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis, and Al Horford against the Jazz, but their absences did not really matter with the Celtics shooting 20/49 from deep. 

Brown is questionable for the Suns game with a back issue, while the Latvian unicorn has already been ruled out because of a hamstring injury. Horford is expected to return to action, so he should get the start in place of Porzingis., Horford isn’t too shabby of an option as a starter for Boston, as he carries a 133 offensive rating – the best among all Celtics with regular minutes.

 On the season, the Celtics are also 18-14 ATS in games at TD Garden.

PREDICTIONS:

Spread: The Celtics (-5.5) cover the spread.

Over/Under: The total (228.5) hits the Under.