Game Preview: Will Suns need luck in tonight’s game against the Celtics?

WHO: Phoenix Suns (37-26) against Boston Celtics (48-14)

When: 6:30 p.m. (AZ time)

Or: Footprint Center — Phoenix, Arizona

Watch: ABC

Listen: KMVP 98.7

A real test presents itself this evening for the Phoenix Sunsas the Boston Celtics travel across the country to the Valley after losing their last two outings to the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Denver Nuggets. Their goal is to stay on track as the number one seed in the East, and the Celtics continue to build their confidence in each other on the court.

We saw it year after year with Boston. Ups and downs, mainly driven by Jayson Tatum’s incompetence. His play ranges from MVP caliber to Celtics fans questioning his leadership and taking the field in the most crucial moments of big games. Directed by none other than Bill Simmons.

While the Celtics have their issues, the Suns look to capitalize on their last two straight wins over the Denver Nuggets and the Toronto Raptors. All without Devin Booker, who is still nursing his ankle injury.

Bradley Beal and Kevin Durant continue to come through in big moments, showing they can keep things together until Books returns.

Probable entries

Injury report

Suns:

• Devin Booker — Questionable (ankle)
• Josh Okogie — Out (abdomen)
• Nassir Little — Out (knee)
• Damion Lee — Out (knee)

Celts:

• Neemias Queta — Out (knee)
• Jayson Tatum — Everyday (ankle)
• Jaylen Brown — Everyday (pelvis)

Uniform match

To monitor

I can’t start with Bol Bol and his confrontation with Porzingis because I am forced to believe that this will never happen and will stop happening in my lifetime. Giving you a little glimpse into the future from what I’m going to try to manifest, Bol will have two blocks and a dunk on Porzingis tonight.

Now, back to reality.

It’s all about body language and how the stars on the floor carry themselves to the finish line. Beal, with 20 points and 8 assists against the Raptors on Thursday night, is and will continue to be our leader tonight. His focus on spreading out and behaving with care and resilience as an offensive and defensive leader will need to show itself early and often.

Mistakes will follow Beal in the first quarter, but doubt will remain in the locker room. Beal must find his strength as a leader in games like tonight in an atmosphere worthy of the playoffs.

Durant also talked about Beal and the current situation of sacrificing shots to play team ball.

The keys to a Suns victory

After earning Player of the Week (Jaylen Brown) and February Player of the Month (Jason Tatum) honors, the two Celtic All-Stars are looking to break out of a rut. But with 7.5 games ahead as number one in the East, the Celtics have room for error.

The Suns, on the other hand, do not.

Turning the ball over is the only thing keeping the Suns from going on a winning streak and landing among the top 4 seeds in the West. There are two things to look for in the score after a Suns game: how many turnovers they had and Grayson Allen’s point total. The Suns are 7-2 when Allen reaches 20 or more points.

Continue to feed Allen and limit turnovers.

Prediction

It came down to the final possession tonight, with Durant blocking all three of Tatum’s game-tying plays. The Suns win, 110-107.