Boston Celtics vs Phoenix Suns 12/10/21: Starting Lineups, Matchup Preview, Betting Odds, Live Stream

Boston Celtics vs. Phoenix Suns Matchup Preview (12/10/21)

The Celtics will have the tall task of taking on the Phoenix Suns, who have won 19 of their past 20 games, on the road. The Suns’ only loss was to the Golden State Warriors at the Chase Center, merely days after beating them at home. While many may jump to the conclusion that the Warriors are the best team in the NBA due to their stomping of the Suns at home, it may not be such a simple answer. The Suns did not have Devin Booker for that matchup and missed him for over half of the game during their win at home against Golden State. Booker will not be available for this game either, unfortunately. Still, it is difficult to say with certainty which team is better for this reason; however, we do know that Phoenix is a much better squad than Boston, who just dropped two games in Los Angeles and is without dynamic wing, Jaylen Brown. Despite Danny Ainge stepping down and bringing in a new head coach, the Celtics have way too much volatility in their organization. They struggled offensively, even with Jaylen Brown playing. Without him, it has become even worse. Occasionally, minutes will go by without Boston scoring, and its offense has no direction whatsoever. Ime Udoka may be a solid coach, but there is no indication that he will be able to fix this mess. It will take Boston’s best effort of the season to beat the Suns at the Footprint Center, where they have won 11 of their 13 home games. Phoenix does not exactly have its work cut out for it. The Suns need to play coherent defense, and they should come away with a win.

Boston Celtics vs. Phoenix Suns Betting Odds

Without the line, it is hard to say whether or not the Suns ATS has any value. Phoenix wins many games, but it does not exactly blow many teams out. This is mainly due to the Suns’ struggles defending the arc at times. Still, I would lean towards the red-hot Suns who have avoided losses like the plague since October. You may be able to find value there because the Suns will still be without Booker. I don’t think they will need him to knock off a Celtics team that struggles to put points on the board.

TV Schedule

Date: 12/10/21
Time: 10:00 PM ET
Arena: Footprint Center – Phoenix, AZ
Channel: ESPN

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Boston Celtics Starting Lineup

PG: Dennis Schroder
SG: Marcus Smart
SF: Jayson Tatum
PF: Robert Williams III
C: Al Horford

Boston Celtics Analysis

Boston is a tough team to bet on or against. Last week, the Celtics scored 130 points and 145 points in two different games. However, before they put up 130, they merely scored 88 points. The Celtics are a bottom-half offensive team in the NBA and possibly drop even a few more spots without Jaylen Brown on the court. The bottom line for the Boston Celtics is that this is a bad matchup for them. They rank 22nd in the NBA in 3P% (three-point percentage), and defending the perimeter is the only weakness that the Suns have shown throughout the season. It will take a lot for the C’s to sneak away with a road win against Phoenix, but it has to start with them shooting the best they have all season from behind the arc.

Phoenix Suns Starting Lineup

PG: Chris Paul
SG: Landry Shamet
SF: Mikal Bridges
PF: Jae Crowder
C: Deandre Ayton

Phoenix Suns Analysis

If you ignore the Suns’ loss to the Golden State Warriors at the Chase Center last week, they have not lost a game since October 27th. You have celebrated Halloween more recently than the Suns had lost a game against a team not named Golden State. This is a mind-blowing thought and speaks to the leadership, experience, coaching, and talent of the Phoenix Suns. Who says that had they won last week, they would not have made it to Christmas without a loss? They don’t exactly have a demanding schedule coming up. Regardless, this team is the real deal, ranking fifth in offensive efficiency, points per game, 3P% (three-point percentage), second in defensive efficiency, and fifth in opponent effective field goal percentage. Phoenix even has a higher ceiling, though. It can dominate the Celtics, and any other team in its way, by defending the three-point arc better.

Boston Celtics vs. Phoenix Suns Daily Fantasy Picks

Dennis Schroder did not have his best games in Los Angeles against the Lakers and Clippers during the Celtics’ west-coast road trip; however, he did have 26 points and 31 points in a few games just one week ago. Schroder is the number two scoring option in a struggling Celtics offense but is the secondary scorer nonetheless. On the season, Schroder averages 17.6 points, five assists, and 3.6 rebounds per game on a 44/35/89 shooting split. While efficiency could be considered an issue, it hardly matters in an offense that is desperate for scoring. This season, Schroder is on a prove-it deal, so every single game matters for him. If he wants to get a more significant contract this off-season, he will need to have some big games. His first few games in December show he is capable, and his contract situation proves that he also wants to. He is a solid DFS player and can easily outplay his salary on a good night.

I tend to stay away from most Phoenix Suns players because their offense is so good. That sounds counterintuitive but stay with me. The Suns’ scoring is so well-distributed and sporadic that it can be hard to predict which player will have a breakout game for them on any given night. Cam Johnson could be a valuable utility player in your DFS lineup if you are willing to roll the dice. Johnson only averages 9.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.3 assists; however, he can get hot and put up some more significant numbers. Although Johnson’s averages are low, he has been shooting the ball exceptionally well from deep over the past three weeks. Since November 19th, Johnson has been shooting at a high clip, including 48.4% from the field and 45.6% from behind the arc. His ability to explode for 15+ points on any given night gives him some value as a lower salary player in DFS.