Phoenix is coming off a 122-115 loss in Toronto on Friday, which ended a four-game winning streak. The Suns currently sit in seventh in the Western Conference, trailing the Timberwolves by 1½ games for the final non-play-in spot in the West.
Phoenix was severely shorthanded when the teams met last month, missing its top two scorers in Dillon Brooks and Devin Booker among a slew of injuries. The Celtics dominated in a 97-81 win in Phoenix.
Brooks remains out with a hand injury and Phoenix is also without center Mark Williams (foot), but Booker has red hot since returning from an hip issue. Booker is averaging 29.6 points and 4.9 assists since he re-entered the lineup — a stretch that included a 43-point night to beat the Pacers on Thursday — with Phoenix going 5-2 in the process.
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The Celtics are still missing big man Nikola Vucevic, who had surgery after fracturing his right ring finger on March 6. Boston otherwise has a clean bill of health for Monday’s game.
Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. at TD Garden and on NBC Sports Boston. Here’s a preview.
When: Monday, 7:30 p.m.
Where: TD Garden, Boston
TV, radio: NBCSB, WBZ-FM 98.5
Line: Boston -8.5. O/U: 213.5.
SUNS
Season record: 39-28. vs. spread: 40-25, 2 pushes. Over/under: 29-37, 1 push
Last 10 games: 6-4. vs. spread: 5-5. Over/under: 4-5, 1 push
CELTICS
Season record: 44-23. vs. spread: 39-28. Over/under: 23-44
Last 10 games: 6-4. vs. spread: 6-4. Over/under: 2-8
TEAM STATISTICS
Points per game: Phoenix 112.5, Boston 114.2
Points allowed per game: Phoenix 111.2, Boston 107.0
Field goal percentage: Phoenix .455, Boston .464
Opponent field goal percentage: Phoenix .470, Boston .441
3-point percentage: Phoenix .363, Boston .361
Opponent 3-point percentage: Phoenix .343, Boston .360
Stat of the day: Jayson Tatum played a season-high 32 minutes in Saturday’s win over the Wizards.
Notes: Tatum finished with 20 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists against Washington. “Compared to the first game, I feel a lot more relaxed,” Tatum said. “Obviously, the first game was such a big day and moment. I’m finding more and more moments each game where I’m feeling more confident, more explosive.” … Tatum played in three straight games upon his return but didn’t play in Thursday’s 104-102 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. “I obviously understand the bigger picture and the plan,” Tatum said. “Sticking with the plan in the moment is kind of tough. Obviously I want to be out there as much as possible. But [against Washington] I got to play more than in the first three games, so I’ll take that.” … Neemias Queta had 24 points on 11 of 13 shooting against the Wizards. He tossed in 13 points during the first quarter — the highest scoring quarter of his NBA career — and had 22 points at halftime. It was the first time he scored at least 20 points in a half during his NBA career. Queta had 10 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocked shots in the win. … The Suns received 34 points from Jalen Green, who made a career-high eight 3-pointers (on 16 attempts) and Devin Booker added 31 points in Friday’s loss to the Raptors.
Amin Touri can be reached at [email protected].
