The Celtics vs Suns Scrimmage is one of the five res games today. Here we look at the match preview, team news and where you can watch the game.
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The Boston Celtics will take on the Phoenix Suns in their second round of scrimmage games today. While the Suns thumped the Jazz 101-88, the Celtics were humbled by the Thunders 84-98.
The Celtics will hope to get back into their winning rhythm before the league games get underway. The Celtics will have to probably do so tonight without their all-star guard Kemba Walker.
Also Read: Will the Scrimmages be televised? Where to watch them?
The Suns on the other hand seemed convincing during their first game after the lockdown. They will hope to continue their momentum against a formidable Celtics today.
The players have returned fitter than ever after the prolonged lockdown and while many expected there to be some rust there with the skill level and fitness; we have been positively surprised.
Where to watch Celtics vs Suns Scrimmage on TV and Online?
The game is slated for a 1:30 pm EST tip-off.
Fans across the globe can watch the scrimmage with the help of their NBA League Pass on NBA TV which is available both on the NBA website and the mobile app.
Check out the free trails for the pass are offered by the NBA. The schemes vary from country to country though.
The game is also available on NBC Sports Boston or can be streamed on MyTeams app(this would be limited by Geography though).
Also, viewers can catch the game on Fox Sports Arizona and 98.7 FM (Arizona Sports).
Celtics vs Suns Scrimmage Team News
The Suns have had a rather disappointing season, but would be hoping that they can end the season on a high and maybe make a late surge for a playoff spot. The Jazz did them a favor by resting their stars for most of the game in their 1st Scrimmage outing
Ricky Rubio is expected to play the game today. Although the star seemed reluctant about playing today, Monty Williams mentioned that Ricky is good to go against the Celtics.
With Oubre Jr not in the mix for the Bubble games, the Suns have an uphill task of making it to the playoffs. They would desperately want to use these Scrimmage games to sort their team combination out and test our their tactics.
Suns available roster: Mikal Bridges, Jevon Carter, Cheick Diallo, Ty Jerome, Cameron Johnson, Frank Kaminsky, Payne, Ricky Rubio, Dario Saric, Devon Booker.
Also Read: Analysing how the Eastern Conference playoffs will pan out
The Celtics will have to do without Walker tonight. Even Jaylen Brown might not be expected to play a big role tonight. With the playoffs fast approaching, it seems sensible to not risk the stars at this point of the season.
Jayson Tatum, however, would be itching to get more minutes on the court, so as to get himself and his team going during the seeding games.
Celtics available roster: Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Marcus Smart, Gordon Hayward, Carsen Edwards, Tacko Fall, Javonte Green, Enes Kanter, Ojeleye, Vincent Poirier, Daniel Theis, Brad Wanamakar, Waters, Robert Williams, Grant Williams
What to expect from both the teams heading into the restart?
The Celtics are expected to be one of the favorites to win the East this year.
Stars like Kemba Walker ANDJaylen Brown had enough time to recover from their injuries. With a healthy squad led by the young Jayson Tatum, the team has enough firepower to go deep this season. All-star Tatum will be looking to make a statement this season inside the bubble and continue his rise as a superstar in the making.
The Celtics face heavy lifters in their remaining league games though. The Tatum led side will face the likes of Bucks, Heat and Raptors in their remaining games. If their talisman Tatum keeps playing like he has been all season, Celtics could be onto something special this season.
The Suns on the other hand will hope to make an late surge into the playoff spots. With the team already depleted, their chances to catch the likes of Pelicans, Blazers and Grizzlies seems low at this point.
But hope for the Suns to make a statement in their time inside the bubble and they might look to upstage the Celtics today.
