Phoenix Suns (27-26, eighth in the Western Conference) vs. Boston Celtics (37-15, first in the Eastern Conference)
Boston; Friday, 7:30 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics take on the Phoenix Suns. Tatum currently ranks fourth in the league scoring 31.1 points per game.
The Celtics have gone 20-6 at home. Boston is the top team in the Eastern Conference with 26.3 assists per game led by Marcus Smart averaging 7.2.
The Suns have gone 8-17 away from home. Phoenix has a 15-16 record against teams over .500.
The teams meet for the second time this season. The Celtics won 125-98 in the last matchup on Dec. 8. Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 25 points, and Josh Okogie led the Suns with 28 points.
TOP PERFORMERS: Tatum is scoring 31.1 points per game with 8.7 rebounds and 4.4 assists for the Celtics. Brown is averaging 22.7 points and 5.0 rebounds while shooting 49.3% over the past 10 games for Boston.
Deandre Ayton is averaging 17.4 points and 9.9 rebounds for the Suns. Mikal Bridges is averaging 1.8 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games for Phoenix.
LAST 10 GAMES: Celtics: 7-3, averaging 116.2 points, 48.3 rebounds, 25.1 assists, 5.8 steals and 5.4 blocks per game while shooting 46.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 109.2 points per game.
Suns: 6-4, averaging 112.8 points, 46.7 rebounds, 28.6 assists, 6.9 steals and 5.3 blocks per game while shooting 45.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 113.8 points.
INJURIES: Celtics: Danilo Gallinari: out for season (knee), Marcus Smart: out (ankle).
Suns: Cameron Payne: out (foot), Devin Booker: out (groin), Landry Shamet: out (foot).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
The Associated Press
