Phoenix can ring in the New Year on top of the NBA

Phoenix Suns @ Boston Celtics

(Friday, 6pm GMT)

Losing to the Golden State Warriors on Christmas Day illustrated that Phoenix is not a surefire bet to repeat as Western Conference champions. A 22 per cent chance, say the markets currently.

But the Suns, with a share of the NBA’s best record – and with the eighth-softest schedule remaining – remain very much in the title mix.

The variable heading into their New Year’s Eve trip to Boston is, as ever, Covid. Deandre Ayton and Jae Crowder, plus head coach Monty Williams, are among the absentees expected.

Although Phoenix – who beat the Celtics 111-90 in this month’s previous meeting – will likely ship more points without two of their premier defenders, their average of 111.8 points per game has barely slipped with Devon Booker scoring 23.7 points per night.

The Celtics have dropped three straight as they continue to under-perform, going just 9-7 at home and 8-16 when shipping 100 points. They’ve also won only two out of 16 games while trailing at the outset of the fourth quarter.

Shooting has been the nightmare after Christmas. On Wednesday, The C’s converted 4-for-42 from three-point range in a 91-82 reverse to the LA Clippers -- the second-worst performance ever by a team attempting at least 40 threes in a game.

That’s an aberration so looking over 213.5 points at 1.81 is still a solid punt. But Phoenix still look capable of taking advantage of the Warriors’ Covid-enforced night off on Thursday to end 2021 atop the NBA.

Tip: Take the Phoenix Suns over the Boston Celtics by -5.0 at 1.96.

Phoenix Suns take on Boston Celtic's in Friday's NBA clash

Atlanta Hawks @ Cleveland Cavaliers

(Saturday, 12.30am GMT)

The surprise package of the NBA this term, the Cleveland Cavs super-sized line-up will now require a refresh as injuries, rather than Covid, takes its toll.

When the Cavaliers, who are 10-7 at home, defeated Atlanta 101-95 in October, Ricky Rubio scored 23 points. A knee injury has cut the Spaniard’s renaissance short, ruling him out of the remainder of this campaign as well as next summer’s EuroBasket. With Collin Sexton similarly sidelined, and starting playmaker Darius Garland Covided out, the Cavaliers are seeking to bring in Rajon Rondo from the Los Angeles Lakers to fill the void.

Even with the weakest strength of schedule ahead, simply retaining a playoff spot becomes their primary goal.

And with an urgent personnel adjustment for Cleveland required, a Hawks team which is a horrific 1-13 while trailing at the half might sense an opportunity to snap a three-game skid with laying on a +1.5 spread at 2.1 offering good value.

Tip: Go under 215.5 total points in Atlanta - Cleveland

New York Knicks @ Toronto Raptors

(Sunday, 8.30pm GMT)

For a team scratching around the bottom of the Eastern Conference just two years removed from seizing the NBA Championship, the Raptors have found some comforts against the Knicks this season, winning both previous meetings while holding New York beneath 105 points each time.

The Knicks have benefited from evading the worst of Covid to win four out of five around Christmas but will be without leading scorer Julius Randle for a few games at least.

With only a small crowd allowed, New York look a solid bet on a handicap of -3 but it could be an ugly watch.

Tip: Go under 210.5 total points in New York - Toronto

Recommended Bets

Take the Phoenix Suns over the Boston Celtics by -5.0 at 1.96

Go under 215.5 total points in Atlanta – Cleveland

Go under 210.5 total points in New York – Toronto