The Best Of Both Sides

Just over a quarter of the way through the 2023 NBA season, the Boston Celtics (20-5) and Phoenix Suns (16-8) have established themselves as the top contenders in their respective conferences. The C's have built off the momentum of last year's Finals run, while the Suns have responded to their all-time playoff flameout vs. Dallas. Tonight they face off in Phoenix, in one of the premiere matchups of this young season 🍿

• To say Boston is on fire would be putting it lightly — they currently hold the highest offensive rating of ALL-TIME. Believe it or not, the Suns are SECOND ALL-TIME

• After an extremely disappointing Finals performance, Jayson Tatum has entered the year with a renewed hunger, and currently leads the MVP race at +280 averaging 31 PPG

• Tatum and Jaylen Brown, also balling at 27 PPG, form what many believe to be the top duo in the league ⭐️

Like I said, Phoenix is currently second all-time in offensive rating, which is a testament to this ridiculously efficient era of offensive innovation (the Top-18 teams are all from the past five years). The Suns have thrived largely due to Devin Booker stepping fully into the top dog spot, as Chris Paul has missed 14 straight games due to injury. Booker has clearly taken a leap, and shown himself to be a worthy MVP candidate as well 📈

Celtics vs. Suns Betting Preview (subject to change)

• Spread: Celtics -1.5

• Moneyline: Celtics -118 (bet $118, win $100), Suns +100 (EVEN)

• Over/Under: 231.5

These Squads Are Rolling

It's easy to forget now, but there were many questions about Boston's short and long term future heading into this season. How would the team respond to former HC Ime Udoka's dramatic firing, and how would new coach Joe Mazzulla fare in his place? Both young stars were facing adversity of their own — Tatum had stunk it up in the Finals, and Brown spent the summer seeing his name constantly thrown into Kevin Durant trade rumors. Only 25 games in, Boston has answered every question thrown their way 💪

• The addition of Malcolm Brogdon has given the Celtics exactly what they need: another offensive creator who can complement the stars or lead the second unit

• Boston has found the perfect mix of contributors in Mazzulla's three-point-focused system, as literally every member of the rotation can shoot. They have seven players scoring over 9 PPG. That will change when Robert Williams III returns, but the big man's elite rim protection will instant transform an already staunch defense 🔒

While Phoenix has not quite matched Boston's dominance thus far, their response to adversity has been equally impressive. Many predicted a significant fall-off from last year's 64-win season, especially considering the offseason drama surrounding Deandre Ayton's free agency. However, Phoenix has shown that their reliable recipe for success can weather any storm 🔥

• First off, it helps to have a prime superstar in Devin Booker, who has upped his scoring average to 28.4 PPG, while actually improving on his efficiency from last year

• Ayton's powerful paint presence and Mikal Bridges' consistent three-and-D play have provided excellent support for Booker's dominant scoring

If Chris Paul can return at even a semblance of last year's All-Star form, the Suns have all the tools in place to finally win him that elusive chip 🏆

For My Parlay Gurus

I think we're all hoping for a great game in this high-powered matchup, and I'm pretty confident that we'll get it. Phoenix will be able to exploit Boston's lack of interior presence in the paint by feeding Ayton, and can always rely on Booker for some buckets. But, Boston looks to be pretty clearly the best team in the league, and I think they'll prove it in a hard-fought win driven by their star duo 👇

• Celtics -1.5 @ Suns: -108

• Jayson Tatum OVER 28.5 Points: -125

$100 on this bet would win you $247 — if we hit, make sure you email [email protected] for a chance to win up to $100*. Many will enter, only some will win 😉

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