The Boston Celtics head to Phoenix on Tuesday for an inter-conference showdown with the Suns. Boston has been playing at a high level in recent weeks and comes in with strong offensive and defensive metrics. Phoenix has dealt with significant injuries at key positions, leaving some questions about their ability to match Boston’s firepower. Here, I break down this big game in the NBA and make my Celtics vs Suns prediction.
Our Celtics vs Suns Pick
Pick:
Confidence: 4 out of 5
Game Snapshot
- Matchup: Boston Celtics @ Phoenix Suns
- Date & Time: Tuesday, February 24, 2026, 9:00 PM ET
- Venue: PHX Arena, Phoenix, Arizona
- Broadcast: NBA League Pass
Key Storylines
- Boston arrives with momentum from a three-game, including a commanding 111-89 victory over the Lakers, highlighted by 32 points from Jaylen Brown.
- Phoenix has faced adversity with significant injuries to Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks, creating uncertainty around their offensive production.
- Boston enters this game in second place in the Eastern Conference and could put more space between themselves and the teams behind them, while the Suns are in seventh place in the West and are two games behind the sixth spot and avoiding the play-in tournament.
Key Players
Phoenix Suns
- Collin Gillespie: An important contributor this season with averages around 13.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 4.7 assists while adding steady ball-handling and perimeter scoring support.
- Mark Williams: A highly efficient scorer inside, converting close to 64% of his attempts and providing solid rebounding with roughly 8.1 boards per game.
- Royce O’Neale: Offers wing scoring and defensive impact, averaging just over 10 points per contest and near 40% shooting from three.
Boston Celtics
- Jaylen Brown: The Celtics’ go-to scorer and leader, contributing around 29.2 points, 7 rebounds, and nearly 5 assists per game this season.
- Derrick White: A versatile guard with averages around 17 points, 5.7 assists, and meaningful defensive metrics, making him critical on both ends of the floor.
- Nikola Vucevic: A reliable inside presence, posting roughly 16.4 points, nearly 9 rebounds, and with efficiency that keeps Boston competitive in the paint.
Stat Comparison
| Stat | Boston Celtics | Phoenix Suns |
|---|---|---|
| Points per game | 115.3 | 112.6 |
| Points allowed per game | 108.0 | 111.6 |
| Team Field Goal % | 47% | 45% |
| Rebounds per game | 45.7 | 43.4 |
| Assists per game | 24.3 | 24.7 |
Head-to-Head & Betting Trends
- Boston has gone 6-1 in the last seven games against Phoenix and 6-1 against the spread in that span. This is their first meeting between these teams this season.
- The Celtics are 7-2 ATS over their last nine outings, while the Suns are 1-6 ATS in their last seven.
Celtics vs Suns Model Projection
Score Projection:
Win Probability:
Final Thoughts
