NBA Betting Picks for Tonight (March 26): Celtics vs Suns Betting Odds and Best Bets

It's Wednesday, and bettors have a late night NBA showdown between the Boston Celtics (53-19, 29-7 away) and the Phoenix Suns (35-37, 23-13 home).

 (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)

Having already clinched a playoff spot, the Celtics hold a firm 7.5 game lead over the New York Knicks for the No. 2 Seed. Winners of six consecutive games, Boston finds themselves -5.5 point favorites on the road. Mind you, Jayson Tatum is unlikely to lace up after tweaking his ankle after landing on Domantas Sabonis on the three-point line.

Coming off a gutsy 108-106 victory over the Bucks, Devin Booker was the hero for the Phoenix Suns. Even without Bradley Beal, this team is starting to gel at the right time. With four straight wins, the Suns are holding on to playoff hopes by a thread. With just a half-game lead over the Mavericks for the No. 10 seed and final Play-In Tournament spot, the stakes are high tonight! This is a must win for the Suns.

Kevin Durant and Devin Booker continue to carry the Suns. Can they get it done with a potential Jayson Tatum-less lineup? Or can the Celtics and Beantown record their seventh consecutive victory?

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Odds Are Current As Of March 26 AT 12 P.M. ET

If you're looking to say hot and cash out on NBA player prop bets, welcome! Cashing in and sweeping last night, I am 9-0 in my last nine article picks! With that said, let's bet responsibly, and stay in the green!

Tonight's eastern and western clash between the Celtics and Suns will tip-off at 10 p.m. ET.  Set to air on ESPN, the matchup will take place at Footprint Center. The first matchup between these teams all season,  the Celtics swept the series 2-0 last season, and covered the 5.5 favorable spreads in both.

Here are my top three best bets and betting picks for the March 26 matchup featuring the Boston Celtics and Phoenix Suns.

NBA Bets: Boston Celtics vs Phoenix Suns FanDuel Betting Odds For March 26

MONEYLINE

• BOSTON CELTICS: -194
• PHOENIX SUNS: +162

SPREAD

• BOSTON CELTICS:-5
• PHOENIX SUNS: +5

OVER/UNDER (TOTAL)

• OVER: 221 (-110)
• UNDER: 221 (-110)

Last Five H2H Matchups: Boston Celtics vs Phoenix Suns

• March 14, 2024: Celtics 127, Suns 112 (Boston -5.5, over 226.5)
• March 9, 2024: Celtics 117, Suns 107 (Boston -5.5, under 226)
• February 3, 2023: Suns 106, Celtics 94 (Phoenix +9, under 225)
• December 7, 2022: Celtics 125, Suns 98 (Boston -1.5, under 232)
• December 31, 2021: Celtics 123, Suns 108 (Boston +3.5, over 214.5)

Boston Celtics vs Phoenix Suns Injury Report

CELTICS

1. Jayson Tatum, SF: Questionable
2. Xavier Tillman, F: OUT

SUNS

1. Bradley Beal, SG: OUT

Player Prop Best Bet #1: Sam Hauser

Sam Hauser 2024-2025 Season Stats

PPG: 8.1 | FG: 45  % | FT: 100 % | 3PT : 41.4 % | REB: 3.1 | AST: 0.9 | STL: 0.6 | BLK: 0.2

• Over 7.5 Points (-115 Fanatics)

My first best bet of the day, I placed one unit on Celtics forward Sam Hauser to record over 7.5 points against the Suns for -115 odds on Fanatics.

One of Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla's secret weapons of the bench, Hauser is in line for more playing time tonight, especially if Jayson Tatum is unable to suit up. Even so, he is one of the most trusted players off the Celtics bench. While Sam Hauser is primarily known for his underrated defense, he's a stud from beyond the arc. Here's why this is one of my strongest betting picks today.

Hauser isn't going to explode for 30 points, or just may he tonight? Averaging 8.1 points, the former Virginia standout is shooting 41.4 percent from beyond the arc this season.

• He's been hot, shooting nearly 50 percent from deep over the last 10 games. I'm confident more than half of this player prop line can come from three-pointers alone!

Is This Sam Hauser Player Prop Line Set Too Low?

As the season winds down, I expect Mazzulla to continue to utilize his entire bench, something he did even during their championship run last year. Back from missing last game against the Kings with lower back soreness, we saw how well Hauser performed against the Trail Blazers as a starter.

While Hauser is likely to come off the bench, we saw him pour in 24 points in the starting five vs Portland. Sure, Phoenix isn't Portland, however, Hauser performs to the highest of his ability no matter the opponent.

• Averaging 12.5 points as a starter, let's break down this matchup tonight.

Overall, 7.5 points seems like a steal, especially for a player who's vastly improved post NBA All-Star break. Averaging 9.3 points on 44.9 percent three-point shooting, this line should soar over tonight. Not to mention, Hauser is coming off 24 points, and averaging 25.5 minutes on the hard wood over the last ten games. Along with the minutes, the shot volume as been there.

• For a player who averages 6.4 field goal attempts per game, Hauser has 21 shot attempts combined over the last two games.

Final NBA Best Bet Pick and Prediction: Sam Hauser Over 7.5 Points (-115 Fanatics)

Although it's the Celtics first matchup with the Suns of the season, Phoenix strong suit hasn't been their defense. Allowing the 10th most points to opponents in the NBA (115.6 PPG), the short handed Suns rank No. 26 in defensive rating. With that said, they allow the 12th most points to forwards. This alone should put Hauser in a terrific spot vs the Suns.

If we look at the stats, Hauser's production has been a bit volatile. However, the sharpshooter has soared over 9+ points in three of the last four games, including a 18 point explosion against a stingy Oklahoma City Thunder defense.

• The last time Hauser matched up with the Suns, he tallied 24 and nine points. One of my best bets for tonight, I'm taking Sam Hauser to record over 7.5 points. If Tatum is unable to play, Hauser is averaging 13.1 points in the last 10 games without him in the lineup. 

Player Prop Best Bet #2: Payton Pritchard

Payton Pritchard 2024-2025 Season Stats

PPG: 14.3 | FG: 46.8 % | FT: 83.8 % | 3PT : 41.7  % | REB: 3.7 | AST: 3.4 | STL: 0.9 | BLK: 0.2

• Over 12.5 Points (-115 Fanatics)

My second best bet for tonight, I placed one unit on Celtics guard Payton Pritchard to record over 12.5 points against the Suns for -115 odds on Fanatics.

I may seem like a Celtics home,  but the two most important players on this roster have been Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser off the bench. Yes, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Kristaps Porzingis headline this talented team in Beantown, however, let's not forget their backbone: Payton Pritchard.

Arguably the NBA Sixth Man of the Year, Pritchard has soared to new heights this season. The former Oregon product went from requesting a trade, to quickly becoming one of Mazzulla's most trusted guys off the bench.

Having a career-year on several levels, Pritchard is averaging a high 14.3 points per game. However, don't let that number fool you, Pritchard has the ability to take over games. Especially if high caliber player such as Jayson Tatum is unable to suit up.

Is Payton Pritchard The NBA Sixth Man Of The Year?

We are talking about a player who's coming off 22 points, and tallied 15+ points in four of the last five games.  Able to score from anywhere on the court, Pritchard makes the of his minutes. Most of all, he hustles.

Bettors have witnessed Pritchard erupt for 43 points, and 21 20+ point games this season. And now he get's a prime matchup against the Phoenix Suns, who allow the 8th most points to guards.

Although yet to eclipse the 13+ point mark in the last five head-to-head matchups against the Suns, Pritchard has vastly improved from last season.  This is a player who has a 63.2 percent effective field goal, and 74.6 percent three-point attempt rate percentage.

The fifth leading scorer on the Celtics, Pritchard is averaging at least 10.7 field goal attempts per game. He's been incredible post NBA All-Star break, averaging 15.6 points in 29.8 minutes.

Final NBA Best Bet Pick and Prediction: Payton Pritchard Over 12.5 Points (-115 Fanatics)

Overall, I smell a possible memorable Payton Pritchard game incoming. In fact, he's had some of the most enormous games without Jayson Tatum in the lineup. That included 43 points against the Trail Blazers, 38 on the Wizards, and 31 vs Charlotte.

• I'm taking Payton Pritchard to score over 12.5 points tonight as one of my best picks. 

Player Prop Best Bet #3: Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant 2024-2025 Season Stats

PPG: 26.8 | FG: 52.8 % | FT: 83.4 % | 3PT : 42.6 % | REB: 6.1 | AST: 4.4 | STL: 0.8  | BLK: 1.3

• Over 24.5 Points (-135 DraftKings)

My third best bet for tonight, I placed one unit on Suns star Kevin Durant to record over 24.5 points vs the Celtics for -135 odds on DraftKings.

Desperate for a playoff spot, the Suns are riding a four game win streak, in which Durant has been sensational. Durant, along with Devin Booker, continue to carry this Phoenix team in the absence of Bradley Beal.

And now we are talking about a player prop points line set at 24.5!? Durant is coming off 38 and 42-point performances against the Bucks and the Cavaliers. Mind you, those are two of the top teams in the west. Durant is cooking against top teams, and simply put, he doesn't have a choice.

This is the one and only Kevin Durant, Aka "Easy Money Sniper," who's averaging 26.7 points over the last ten games. To put things into perspective, can we truly fade Durant on national television against the Celtics? He's shooting 56.7 percent from beyond the arc over the last ten games!

Durant may catch some what of a break if Jayson Tatum is unable to suit up. However, Jaylen Brown often takes on the task of guarding the toughest opponent. With that said, the Celtics allow the fourth fewest points to forwards. I don't expect this to be an easy task for Durant at all.

Final NBA Best Bet Pick and Prediction: Kevin Durant Over 24.5 Points (-135 DraftKings)

Averaging 35.3 points over the last three games, Durant has had quite the success agains the Celtics throughout his career. Tallying only 20 points in their last meeting, Durant is averaging 30.2 points in their last five head-to-head matchups.

Look for Durant to continue to lead the offense, given he's one of the best shooters in the history of the NBA.  The Suns will rely on Durant more than ever. Unless he lay's a total goose egg, Durant is more than capable of scoring 25+ points.

• I'll take Kevin Durant to score 24.5 points or more against the Celtics tonight.