Suns hope to get back Chris Paul for showdown with Celtics
The Boston Celtics are not sure if they will have to deal with All-Star point guard Chris Paul when they visit the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night in a battle of NBA heavyweights.
Paul has missed the last 14 games since he injured his heel during a game at Philadelphia on Nov. 7. Earlier this week, Phoenix coach Monty Williams said Paul was close to returning, but he did not play in a 130-111 loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Monday night.
Paul is averaging 9.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 9.4 assists and 1.7 steals per contest in 10 games this season.
Phoenix forward Torrey Craig also sat out Monday’s loss to Dallas. He’s missed the last three games with a groin injury.
Phoenix will be facing a Celtics team that has won seven of its last eight games. Boston’s latest victory was Monday’s 116-110 win at Toronto.
The Celtics were without center Al Horford (back) and guard Malcolm Brogdon (illness) for that game, but received 31 points and 12 rebounds from Jayson Tatum and 22 points and eight rebounds from Jaylen Brown.
It was Tatum’s team-high 12th double-double of the season, and the 15th consecutive game Brown has scored at least 20 points.
Horford’s absence meant extra playing time for Blake Griffin, who contributed 13 points and eight rebounds for Boston in 32 minutes.
The Suns were limited to 15 points in the first quarter of Monday’s loss to Dallas. It was their lowest point total in any quarter this season.
Phoenix guard Devin Booker was held to 11 points on 4-of-13 shooting against Dallas. He averaged 39 points per contest in the four games leading up to that loss, and is averaging 28.4 this season.
