The Celtics have lost back-to-back games against a pair of Western Conference bottom-feeders in the Clippers and Warriors, and their schedule only gets tougher from here. Their last opponent on the West Coast road trip is none other than the Phoenix Suns, who just torched the defending-champion Lakers 118-103, behind a double-double from their point guard and MVP candidate, Steve Nash. The going will get tougher before it gets easier, Celtics fans.
When and Where
Wednesday, Dec. 30, 9 p.m. ET
US Airways Arena, Phoenix, Ariz.
Records
Celtics (23-7, first place in Atlantic Division, second place in Eastern Conference)
Suns (20-12, second place in Pacific Division, fourth place in Western Conference)
Head to Head
The Suns dealt Boston its first loss of the season back on Nov. 6, as Jason Richardson went off for 34 points and the the Celtics fell out of the NBA's unbeaten ranks with a 110-103 loss. Before that, the Celtics had won three straight meetings with the Suns — they hadn't lost since an 85-77 setback in Phoenix on Feb. 22, 2008.
Skinny
Steve Nash is playing like an MVP once again this season, and that's pretty much all you need to know. Nash has a bunch of athletic, high-scoring weapons in his arsenal, led by Amare Stoudemire and Jason Richardson. With those guys leading the way, this is a fast-paced, energetic team much like the Golden State squad that wore the Celtics down on Monday night. Expect the tired, well-traveled Celtics to be tested by Nash and Co. on Wednesday night.
Starting Lineups
Celtics
Point guard: Rajon Rondo
Shooting guard: Ray Allen
Small forward: Tony Allen
Power forward: Kevin Garnett
Center: Kendrick Perkins
Suns
Point guard: Steve Nash
Shooting guard: Jason Richardson
Small forward: Grant Hill
Power forward: Amare Stoudemire
Center: Channing Frye
Stat Sheet
Celtics
After two losses this week, the Celtics are now 1-3 against the Pacific Division.
They are shooting 48.7 percent as a team, third-best in the NBA.
Kendrick Perkins is shooting 64.8 percent, the best individual percentage in the league.
Rajon Rondo leads the league with 80 steals.
Kevin Garnett averages 20.4 points and 11.7 rebounds against the Suns for his career.
Tony Allen has 25 rebounds in his last five games.
Ray Allen shot 1-for-7 from 3-point range against Golden State on Monday night.
Suns
The Suns are 12-2 at home this season.
They have 494 turnovers, third-most in the NBA.
Steve Nash leads the NBA with 11.2 assists per game.
Amare Stoudemire leads the NBA with 118 fouls.
Jared Dudley is shooting 50.9 percent from 3-point range, best in the league.
Channing Frye is second in the NBA with 78 threes.
Grant Hill averages 18.6 points and 7.2 rebounds against the Celtics in his career.
Black and Blue
X-rays were negative on the sprained right ankle of Glen Davis, who left Golden State on crutches Monday night.
Paul Pierce is out. He underwent minor right knee surgery last Wednesday.
Marquis Daniels underwent left thumb surgery earlier this month and will miss the next two months.
Suns
Jason Richardson missed a game against Portland two weeks ago with a sprained right ankle.
Leandro Barbosa missed three weeks of December with a sprained left ankle.
Robin Lopez missed the first month of the season with a bruised left knee.
This Date in Celtics History
In 1996, the Celtics record a dramatic buzzer-beating victory over the Nuggets in Denver, as Rick Fox drains a 19-foot jumper with 0.7 seconds left to fuel the Celtics' 102-100 victory.
Overheard
"What’s different is that what [Rondo is] doing now is in the confines of the offense. It’s all part of what we’re doing as a team. He’s making the plays that are there. He’s getting guys the ball, but he’s also making his move when the other team gives him that opportunity. He’s taking it."
–Ray Allen, in Monday's Boston Herald, on the growth of point guard Rajon Rondo.
Press Box
Celtics
The C's flounder out West.
The stars align for Rajon Rondo.
Glen Davis might be out a while.
Suns
The Suns cut the Lakers down to size.
Alando Tucker packs his bags.
The Suns are eyeing big things.
NBA
Tracy McGrady is asking out.
Kevin Durant had a heck of a homecoming.
Mum's the word on Vinny Del Negro.
Outlook
The Celtics are despondent after back-to-back losses to losing teams, they're exhausted after traveling to three different West Coast cities in four days and they're still without their captain. But no matter how bad things get, you have to get up for a big game like this one. The Celtics have what it takes to beat these Suns, but they have to bring their A game. No more mental lapses, no more chokes — the C's need a complete 48-minute effort if they want to finish their Pacific road trip with a win.
