Phoenix Suns vs. Boston Celtics Pick & Prediction APRIL 4th 2025
Preview and Prediction
The Phoenix Suns will attempt to avoid a consecutive loss at home for the first time this season as they take on the visiting Boston Celtics on Friday evening.
After an undefeated six-game road trip, Boston suffered a 124-103 defeat at home against Miami on Wednesday. The Celtics (56-20) have only lost back-to-back games twice this season, but those losses occurred on the road both times.
Boston has a record of 32-7 on the road, but has struggled with a 24-13 record at home.
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"We were on the road for 10, 12 days," stated Jaylen Brown. "Not to make excuses, but those first games back are always tough in terms of getting back into the swing of things. We've been in three, four different time zones, so it's been a lot of travel. You just get home and start to get settled, and then you have to play a basketball game.
"It's not an excuse. We never make excuses. But the first game back after a long road trip is always challenging."
Brown, who has been playing through a bone bruise in his right knee, led the team with 24 points in the loss to Miami. He mentioned after the game that he was dealing with some pain.
"I've had to come to terms with the fact that I won't always feel 100%, but that doesn't mean I can't still make plays and contribute," he explained. "So it's just something we're working through. (Wednesday) was a step in the right direction. I have some things lined up with the medical staff to help me feel better for the playoffs. But for now, I'm mentally working through not feeling great, but still finding ways to be effective."
Brown is listed as questionable for Friday's game.
Jrue Holiday (shoulder), Al Horford (toe), and Kristaps Porzingis (returning from illness reconditioning) were all unavailable for Wednesday's loss. However, none of them were listed on Thursday's injury report.
Phoenix (35-41) enters Friday's matchup on a four-game losing streak. They currently sit in 11th place in the Western Conference standings, just one game behind Sacramento. In order to qualify for the play-in tournament, the Suns will need to move up one spot.
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The Suns are also dealing with injuries. Kevin Durant is recovering from a sprained ankle and is not expected to return until at least Tuesday's home game against Golden State. Durant has been averaging 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists in 62 games this season.
Bradley Beal has also been out for the last eight games with a left hamstring strain. He has played in 48 games this season and is averaging 17.3 points per game.
"We still have a chance to make a run," Beal stated. "Obviously, we need to be healthy and available. Anything can happen in the playoffs, but we have a talented team and we believe in what we can do. We just need to give ourselves that opportunity."
Beal did not play in Boston's 132-102 victory over Phoenix on March 26. Jayson Tatum was also out for Boston due to a sprained ankle. Tatum is currently fifth in the NBA in scoring, averaging 27.0 points per game.
Porzingis led Boston with 30 points in the win, while Phoenix received 30 points from Durant.
Phoenix Suns vs. Boston Celtics Recap DEC 31TH 2021
Jaylen Brown totaled 24 points and 11 rebounds Friday, and Marcus Smart added 24 points and nine boards to lead the Boston Celtics over the visiting Phoenix Suns, 123-108, in a New Year's Eve matinee.
Before the game, the Celtics held a moment of silence to honor late Hall of Fame guard Sam Jones, who died Thursday at the age of 88. Jones won 10 championships in his 12 NBA seasons -- all with Boston -- from 1957 to 1969.
Josh Richardson scored 19 points, Romeo Langford added 16 and Grant Williams 15 to help the Celtics snap their three-game skid.
Also for Boston, Robert Williams III notched his first career triple-double with 10 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists, and he added five blocks.
Devin Booker finished with 22 points to lead Phoenix, which has dropped three of its last four games. Cameron Johnson scored 20, Jalen Smith added a career-high 19 points and Chris Paul had 14 points and eight assists for the Suns.
Celtics star Jayson Tatum missed his third straight game while in the NBA's healthy and safety protocols. Boston's Dennis Schroder, Enes Freedom, Aaron Nesmith and Bruno Fernando were also sidelined in COVID protocol.
Phoenix played without star center Deandre Ayton along with Jae Crowder, JaVale McGee and Abdel Nader in the protocol. Frank Kaminsky remained out with a right knee injury for the Suns.
A back-and-forth first quarter turned in Boston's favor when Richardson's 3-pointer put the hosts up for good at 17-16 with 4:28 left. The Celtics ended the opening period on an 18-4 surge to go up 32-20 after one.
After the Celtics raced to a lead of as many as 30 points in the second quarter, they led 67-41 at halftime.
Phoenix whittled the deficit to 13 at 77-64 after a Mikal Bridges 3-pointer with 6:51 left in the third quarter. The Celtics regrouped to end the period on a 23-13 run to take a 100-77 lead into the fourth.
The Suns made once more push to pull within 11 late but couldn't get any closer.