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Boston (37-19) at Phoenix (33-25)
- When: Feb 24 2026, 9:00 PM
- Where: Mortgage Matchup Center, Phoenix, AZ, USA
- TV: NBCS-BOS
Boston vs Phoenix Preview & Prediction
Spread: Boston -7.0
Moneyline: Boston (-250)
Total: 206.5
From the West Coast angle, this one sets up as a contrast in rhythm and identity. Boston comes into Phoenix laying 7 points, with the total sitting at 206.5. One team is humming offensively behind a legitimate MVP candidate. The other is trying to remember where the rim is.
Let’s break it down properly.
Boston Celtics: Balanced, Relentless, and Peaking
Boston has won eight of its last nine and looks nothing like a team that supposedly took a step back after losing Jayson Tatum to a torn Achilles. If anything, they’ve sharpened their edge.
Jaylen Brown is playing the best basketball of his career. He’s averaging 29.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 4.9 assists, all career highs. Against the Lakers, he dropped 32 points with eight boards, seven assists and three steals. That wasn’t stat-padding. That was dominance on both ends.
And it’s not just Brown.
Payton Pritchard is on a heater, scoring 30 against L.A. and going 15-of-28 from three over the last three games. Derrick White is quietly having a career year, averaging 17.0 points while doing all the connective tissue work defensively and in half-court sets.
Boston’s defensive structure remains elite. They hold teams under 90 in grind-it-out games and can also run when needed. That versatility matters in a matchup against a short-handed Phoenix squad.
Derrick White Player Prop Pick: Derrick White Over 16.5 PointsWith Phoenix missing primary scoring threats, this game profiles as one where Boston’s secondary options get clean looks. White’s usage has ticked up in road games, and Phoenix’s perimeter defense has been inconsistent. I like him to clear his average and push toward 18-20 points.
Phoenix Suns: Searching for Answers
The Suns are in a rough patch, losing six of nine and coming off a 92-77 home loss to Portland. That was their lowest output in years, and it wasn’t a fluke.
Devin Booker (24.7 ppg) remains sidelined with a hip issue. Dillon Brooks (20.9 ppg) is out with a broken hand. That’s nearly 45 points per game missing from the lineup. When you remove that kind of production, everything tightens up.
Phoenix has struggled to get to the rim, struggled to draw fouls, and settled for contested jumpers. Shot quality has dipped, and pace has suffered. They’re trying to manufacture offense through role players.
Collin Gillespie has stepped into a larger offensive role. He’s not flashy, but he’s steady and willing to shoot. In games where the Suns fall behind, his minutes and attempts increase.
Collin Gillespie Player Prop Pick: Collin Gillespie Over 11.5 PointsBoston’s defense will key on stopping primary actions. Gillespie should see volume, particularly if Phoenix is forced into catch-up mode in the second half.
Betting Outlook & Prediction
Boston is simply the more complete team right now. They defend at a high level, share the ball, and execute late. Phoenix is short on creators and struggling to generate efficient looks.
The total at 206.5 feels slightly high given Phoenix’s offensive limitations. If Boston controls tempo and builds a second-half lead, this game could slow considerably.
Boston covers. Lean to the Under based on Phoenix’s scoring drought and Boston’s defensive discipline.
Final Score: Celtics 104, Suns 95
Lean: Boston -7.0
Total: Under 206.5
- NBA Basketball Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
- Get real-time live scores & latest betting odds here!
