Philadelphia (0-0) at Boston (0-0)
When: Tuesday, October 16th, 2018
Where: TD Garden,
Boston, Massachusetts
Time: 8:05 ET | TV: TNT
Opening Odds: Boston -5/206.5
Two teams that are setup to battle for Eastern Conference supremacy for the years to come will square-off on opening night of the NBA season as the Boston Celtics host the Philadelphia 76ers from TD Garden. It was an odd season for Boston, who lost prized free agent Gordon Hayward on opening night in 2017, but managed to get all the way to the conference finals before losing to LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Boston’s playoff run included a five-game series victory over the Sixers and the Celtics made this run without Kyrie Irving, who was injured. With Hayward and Irving back and healthy, the Celtics are the deepest team in the East and would be disappointed with anything less than a trip to the Finals. Philadelphia went from 10 wins in 2016 to 28 in 2017, then leaped to 52 victories in 2018 led by a great young core that includes center Joel Embiid and reigning Rookie of the Year, Ben Simmons at point guard. Adding to the mix this season should be 2017 first round pick Markelle Fultz, who missed 68 games with an injured shoulder and will get the start here tonight. The Celtics won 14 of the past 16 regular-season meetings and were 4-1 ATS against Philadelphia in last year’s playoff series.
Embiid earned an All-Star bid in 2017-18 and averaged 22.9 points and 11 rebounds for the season and has made it known that he wants to be league MVP this season. Philadelphia is seeking to reach the 50-win mark in consecutive seasons for the first time since the 76ers rolled off seven straight (1979-86) during the Julius Erving/Charles Barkley-era. Simmons averaged 15.8 points, 8.2 assists and 8.1 rebounds, but needs to improve his perimeter shooting.
Hayward suffered a gruesome broken leg in last year’s season opener and Boston will take it slow with him to begin the season. Terry Rozier, Jayson Tatum (13.9 points) and shooting guard Jaylen Brown (14.5) all stepped up in in the playoffs last season and will be counted on this year to provide depth. Veteran center Al Horford (12.9 points, 7.4 rebounds) also was a major factor last season. Rozier, who returns to a backup role with Irving healthy, averaged 19 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.4 assists in the playoff series against Philadelphia.
Expectations are high with both programs, but Boston has the edge at the moment when healthy. The Celtics haven dominated the Sixers in both the regular and postseason in recent years and I call for the win and cover here.
Pick: Celtics -4.5
- 76ers are 10-4-1 ATS in their last 15 Tuesday games.
- 76ers are 7-3-1 ATS in their last 11 games following a straight up loss.
- 76ers are 27-12-1 ATS in their last 40 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
- 76ers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
- 76ers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 vs. Eastern Conference.
- 76ers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 vs. NBA Atlantic.
- 76ers are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
- Celtics are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 Tuesday games.
- Celtics are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 vs. NBA Atlantic.
- Celtics are 11-3 ATS in their last 14 games following a ATS loss.
- Celtics are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
- Celtics are 12-4 ATS in their last 16 games following a straight up loss.
- Celtics are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games playing on 3 or more days rest.
- Celtics are 19-7 ATS in their last 26 home games.
- Celtics are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
- Celtics are 18-7-1 ATS in their last 26 games following a straight up loss of more than 10 points.
- Celtics are 36-16 ATS in their last 52 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
- Celtics are 53-24-1 ATS in their last 78 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
- Celtics are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
- Celtics are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 vs. Eastern Conference.
- Over is 4-0 in 76ers last 4 games playing on 3 or more days rest.
- Over is 6-1 in 76ers last 7 road games.
- Under is 4-1 in 76ers last 5 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
- Under is 4-0 in Celtics last 4 home games.
- Under is 5-0 in Celtics last 5 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
- Under is 6-0 in Celtics last 6 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
- Over is 14-2 in Celtics last 16 games following a straight up loss of more than 10 points.
- Over is 14-4-1 in Celtics last 19 games following a ATS loss.
- Under is 5-2 in Celtics last 7 overall.
- Under is 5-2 in Celtics last 7 vs. Eastern Conference.
- Over is 7-3 in Celtics last 10 games following a straight up loss.
- Home team is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings.
- Over is 9-3 in the last 12 meetings in Boston.
- Underdog is 9-4 ATS in the last 13 meetings.
- 76ers are 1-4 ATS in the last 5 meetings.
- 76ers are 1-4 ATS in the last 5 meetings in Boston.
