Final: Celtics 125, Suns 98 - Utter domination over West's best

Game 25: Celtics (+1.5) at Phoenix Suns, 10:00 p.m., Footprint Center, NBCS Boston/ESPN

Injuries: 

Boston: Danilo Gallinari, Robert Williams, Al Horford (health and safety protocols)

Phoenix: Cam Johnson (knee), Duane Washington (hip), Chris Paul (questionable, heel)

Suns probable starters: Chris Paul, Devin Booker, DeAndre Ayton, Ish Wainwright, Mikal Bridges

Refs: Tony Brothers (#25), Brent Barnaky (#36), John Butler (#30)

A little something about this game: The Suns just ran off six straight wins and seven of eight. However, the wins have come against the Knicks, Lakers, Pistons, Jazz, Kings, Bulls, and Spurs … not exactly a murderer’s row. But tonight will also likely see the return of Chris Paul, and the Celtics have a perpetual target on their back, so we’ll see the best Phoenix has to offer. The Celtics have Malcolm Brogdon back, but Horford surprisingly entered health and safety protocols and is out tonight. 

How Boston wins: Phoenix doesn’t allow a lot of 3-pointers (30.1 attempts, fewest in the league), but the ones they give up go in at a high rate (36.5%, 21st in the NBA), so they can take advantage of their shooting when they do get their open looks. The Suns do allow a ton of mid-range shots, so this could be another Jaylen Brown night. He could do some damage early and soften up the defense before things open up and 3-pointers start to fall. 

How Phoenix wins: The Suns are among the best ball-movers in the league. They have the best assist to turnover ratio, the sixth-best assist percentage, the sixth-most assists per game, and fifth-most potential assists per game. More of their passes become assists than any other team in the league, so Boston’s defense has to play on a string. Booker and Paul are midrange masters, so the Celtics have to be on point when defending the pick-and-roll. If their not, the Suns will pile up the points and pick the Celtics apart. 

Things I’m looking for:

- Slowing down Ayton: Without Horford, keeping Ayton away from the rim will be tough. He’s not exactly a Giannis-type raging bull in the lane, but not having Horford is an invitation to the rim for him. Ayton is not generally a free-throw magnet, but he’s been taking a lot more free throws lately, so that aggression combined with Horford’s absence makes him a player to watch tonight. 

- Chris Paul’s return: I’m genuinely curious to see how his return will impact the Suns. We know how good he is, but the Suns have been humming and Booker has been carrying the team. Is Paul willing to maybe take a bigger step back down the stretch of a close game, or will Booker have to bend, and how does that impact this team. 

- Tatum going iso: Bridges is an elite defender and the Suns defense will certainly sell out to stop Tatum. Is he going to be insistent on scoring, like was in the first half against Toronto, or will he happily draw two defenders and let the rest of his teammates cook? 

Follow along below or in the comments during the game, chime in, and let’s have fun.