NBA 2022/23, on Thursday, 08.12.2022
What a game, what an atmosphere! Tonight, it’s worth taking the focus off the 2022 World Cup for a moment and instead turning it to the NBA matchup between the Phoenix Suns and Boston Celtics, where things are going to get heated.
In my Suns Celtics tip, there are exactly three factors that convince me of a low-scoring win for the Arizonans: home-court advantage, Devin Booker and CP3’s heralded comeback…
When the two best franchises in the Western and Eastern Conferences meet, the interest is naturally immense – even among those who don’t normally pay too much attention to basketball. Who will be able to continue their current strong run unchecked?
The Celtics are the slight favourites for many, because thanks to wins like a conveyor belt, things really do seem to be going like clockwork at the moment. At the weekend, they even beat the strong Nets 103-92 in Brooklyn.
The C’s defence allowed a little too much in the prestige duel, but it was the first time in five weeks that the Nets scored less than one point per possession – respect!
Consequently, I’m expecting a relatively low-scoring affair in this NBA extravaganza, which of course can be easily bet on at the bookmakers we reviewed.
After all, three of the last four head-to-head meetings have produced less than 201 points. Only in the last encounter did the score reach 231 points – but the trend clearly points to a low-scoring game.
Home advantage is not only crucial in football, but also in basketball – and especially in this pairing: each of the last five head-to-head meetings has gone to the home team.
With the Suns it is usually the case that Chris Paul is the mainstay and without him usually not much goes. Now, however, CP3 has already sat out 13 games – and still the Arizonans are showing great performances.
This shows that more and more players are taking over responsibility at the Western Conference leader. For example, Devin Booker, on whom I would “almost” place a player bet given his recent performances.
After all, over the course of the last week, Devin Booker has averaged 45.3 points per game with a field goal percentage of 74%. But tonight, the Suns are up against an outstanding defense, which is why I’m a little more cautious.
Where the Suns definitely lack Chris Paul’s experience – especially in a top game like against the Celtics – is in the fourth quarter.
After all, Arizona had a 55-0 record last year when it took a double-digit lead into the final quarter. This season, however, they have already lost two games in exactly that situation.
But fans of the home side can breathe a sigh of relief! Because it looks very much as if Chris Paul will return after a long absence. In any case, there are many indications that he will not miss the duel against the C’s.
I would clearly prefer a sub-234.5 bet to a player bet on Devin Booker mentioned earlier.
After all, a low-scoring game is much more likely given the C’s stout defense than Booker being able to waltz through again – even if Boston has been unusually susceptible in the backcourt recently against the Nets…
In the markets, meanwhile, German bettors are giving the “home court advantage” factor a seemingly overriding importance, as the Suns Celtics odds have been significantly influenced by it.
Nevertheless, the average odds of 2.05 for a win by the home side are still moving over the counter in the betting office, whereas the C’s win odds are around 1.91.
Conclusion: What a gripping game the basketball fan is likely to be treated to here! It’s still quite a long time until the playoffs start, but tonight the viewer definitely gets a little taste.
The home court advantage is of particular importance in this pairing and the vulnerabilities shown against the Nets in the C’s defence also speak in favour of the home side.
Devin Booker is also playing off-the-charts basketball at the moment and if Chris Paul also returns now, it could be a really long evening for the visitors…
My Suns Celtics tip: The home side will win.
