Philadelphia (20-20) at Boston (34-11)
When: Thursday, January 18th 2018
Where: TD Garden, Boston, MA
Time: 7:05 ET | TV: TNT
Opening Odds: Boston -6/212.5
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A week removed from a battle in London, the Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics gear up again for a matchup on Thursday night in Boston at the TD Garden – broadcast live on TNT. The Sixers have been streaky all season – looking like an up-and-coming team one week, and a very young squad the next. Currently, Philadelphia is back at the .500 mark thanks to winning five of their last six, with the only loss coming against the Celtics last week in London 114-103. The Sixers are coming off a scrappy 117-111 victory over Toronto on Monday while the Celtics’ first action since London resulted in an overtime loss to New Orleans at home Tuesday night, snapping a seven-game winning streak. Joel Embiid was held to 15 points in the loss to the Celtics before recording 34 points and 11 rebounds in the win over the Raptors, which saw Philadelphia almost blow a huge lead before hanging on in an emotional contest. Embiid is averaging just 13 points on 30.3% shooting in two meetings with Boston. The Celtics still hold a three-game lead over Toronto for the top spot in the Eastern Conference, while Philadelphia is one-game behind Detroit for the final postseason berth. Boston has won the last seven meetings with Philadelphia at home.
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Shooting guard JJ Redick has been a big contributor during the Sixers recent surge with five 20-point games since Christmas, but unfortunately, he’s expected to miss two weeks or more with a leg injury. Veteran Jerryd Bayless picked up a pair of starts when Redick was hurt last month and second-year pro Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot – who had 11 points on 4-of-5 shooting in the last visit to Boston – could see an increase in playing time. Point guard T.J. McConnell is averaging 15 points on 58.3% from the field and 6.5 assists over the last two games. Philadelphia will only see their homecourt twice the rest of the month as they play six of their next eight on the road.
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Boston has rallied to win ball games quite a few times this season, but it couldn’t pull it off after another double-digit deficit Tuesday against the Pelicans. Guard Kyrie Irving was just 8-for-24 from the field and missed some golden opportunities late in regulation and in overtime. Irving is listed as questionable for tonight’s contest, prompting many sportsbooks to keep this game off the board. The Celtics attempted a season-high 50 3-pointers against New Orleans, with Irving’s 12 attempts leading the way and Horford’s 4-for-5 effort the most efficient. Boston will host Orlando on Sunday before heading out on a west coast trip.
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Philly is playing well and badly wants to prove they belong in the East race right now – not two years from now. I’m going to hold off on posting a line until Thursday afternoon, but I really like the Sixers to win this outright.
Pick: 76ers +4.5
- 76ers are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
- 76ers are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
- 76ers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games overall.
- 76ers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
- 76ers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
- 76ers are 25-10 ATS in their last 35 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
- 76ers are 42-18-1 ATS in their last 61 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
- 76ers are 28-13 ATS in their last 41 games following a straight up win.
- 76ers are 37-18 ATS in their last 55 games following a ATS win.
- 76ers are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 vs. NBA Atlantic.
- 76ers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games playing on 2 days rest.
- 76ers are 0-7 ATS in their last 7 Thursday games.
- Celtics are 7-1-1 ATS in their last 9 games following a straight up loss.
- Celtics are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 Thursday games.
- Celtics are 12-3-1 ATS in their last 16 games following a ATS loss.
- Celtics are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
- Celtics are 12-5-1 ATS in their last 18 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
- Celtics are 19-9-2 ATS in their last 30 games playing on 1 days rest.
- Over is 4-0 in 76ers last 4 games playing on 2 days rest.
- Under is 5-1 in 76ers last 6 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
- Over is 5-1 in 76ers last 6 games following a straight up win.
- Over is 5-1 in 76ers last 6 games following a ATS win.
- Under is 5-1 in 76ers last 6 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
- Over is 4-1 in 76ers last 5 overall.
- Over is 4-1 in 76ers last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
- Over is 4-1 in 76ers last 5 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
- Over is 6-2 in 76ers last 8 vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
- Under is 5-1 in Celtics last 6 Thursday games.
- Under is 4-1 in Celtics last 5 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
- Under is 8-3 in Celtics last 11 vs. NBA Atlantic.
- Over is 13-5 in Celtics last 18 games playing on 1 days rest.
- Over is 15-7 in Celtics last 22 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
- Over is 6-2 in the last 8 meetings in Boston.
- Over is 6-2 in the last 8 meetings.
- Road team is 7-3 ATS in the last 10 meetings.
- Underdog is 5-2 ATS in the last 7 meetings.
