Philadelphia (0-0) at Boston (0-0)
When: Monday, April 30th 2018
Where: TD Garden, Boston, MA
Time: 8:05 ET | TV: TNT
Opening Odds: Philadelphia -1.5/210
The Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics renew their long-time rivalry with a best-of-seven series in the Eastern Conference semifinals beginning on Monday, April 30th with Game 1 from TD Garden in Boston. Philadelphia came into the postseason as the hottest team in the league, but have not played since last Tuesday after dispatching the Miami Heat in five games. Meanwhile, the Celtics will have virtually no rest after a tough seven-game series with the Milwaukee Bucks, culminating with a 112-96 Game 7 home victory. Boston’s offense came alive in the series finale after being held to 92 points or less in three of the previous four games, as three players scored 20 or more points, and the home team won all seven games in the series. The Celtics won three of four meetings during the regular season against the 76ers, including a matchup in London on January 11th. This will be the first time since the 2012 conference semifinals that Boston and Philadelphia have met in the postseason, with the Celtics winning that series in seven games.
Philadelphia has been slow during the past few seasons to get their stars in the lineup on a consistent basis, resting them whenever possible, so the time off probably won’t be a factor. That’s especially true for center Joel Embiid, who returned from an orbital fracture to play the final three games of the series with the Heat. He averaged 18.7 points and 10.3 rebounds in those three games and shot 8-of-14 from the floor in Game 5 after a sluggish Game 3 and 4. JJ Redick was Philadelphia’s top scorer versus the Heat with 20 points per game while rookie Ben Simmons is showing why he was so coveted by this team, averaging 18.2 points, 10.6 rebounds, nine assists and 2.4 steals in his first postseason.
Not being able to finish-off Milwaukee in Game 6 could come back to haunt Boston, as shooting guard Jaylen Brown exited Game 7 with a hamstring injury and hopes to not miss any time. Brown averaged 17.9 points against the Bucks, just behind team-leader Horford (18.1), who will get the pleasure of trying to guard and shoot against Embiid. Point guard Terry Rozier, who averaged 17.6 points in the first round, had 26 points on 10-of-16 shooting and nine assists in the Game 7 clincher against Milwaukee.
Its all about rest in the NBA, right? Well, if that’s the case, then Philadelphia has a big advantage early-on in this series. The big question coming into this postseason was whether or not this young Sixers team was ready for the big stage. They answered that with a dominating performance in round one, and have what it takes right now to get to the NBA Finals. Look for Philadelphia to come out with more energy in Game 1 and steal homecourt advantage. Brown’s hamstring injury is a big concern for Boston as well.
Pick: 76ers -2.5
- 76ers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
- 76ers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
- 76ers are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 road games.
- 76ers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
- 76ers are 10-2 ATS in their last 12 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points.
- 76ers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games overall.
- 76ers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 vs. Eastern Conference.
- 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 following a straight up win.
- 76ers are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games playing on 3 or more days rest.
- 76ers are 65-30-2 ATS in their last 97 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
- 76ers are 35-17 ATS in their last 52 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
- 76ers are 47-23 ATS in their last 70 games following a ATS win.
- Celtics are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 home games.
- Celtics are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
- Celtics are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games playing on 1 days rest.
- Celtics are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
- Celtics are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 Conference Semifinals games.
- Celtics are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games overall.
- Celtics are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 vs. Eastern Conference.
- Celtics are 20-7-1 ATS in their last 28 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points.
- Celtics are 10-4 ATS in their last 14 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
- Celtics are 47-22-1 ATS in their last 70 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
- Celtics are 45-22-2 ATS in their last 69 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
- Celtics are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 Monday games.
- Under is 4-0-1 in 76ers last 5 Monday games.
- Over is 5-1 in 76ers last 6 games playing on 3 or more days rest.
- Under is 10-3 in 76ers last 13 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
- Under is 13-5 in 76ers last 18 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
- Under is 7-3-1 in 76ers last 11 games following a ATS win.
- Over is 8-1 in Celtics last 9 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points.
- Over is 7-1 in Celtics last 8 home games.
- Over is 6-1 in Celtics last 7 games following a straight up win.
- Over is 6-1 in Celtics last 7 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
- Over is 6-1 in Celtics last 7 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
- Over is 9-2 in Celtics last 11 overall.
- Over is 9-2 in Celtics last 11 vs. Eastern Conference.
- Over is 10-3 in Celtics last 13 Monday games.
- Over is 6-2 in Celtics last 8 games playing on 1 days rest.
- Under is 5-2 in Celtics last 7 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
- Over is 5-2 in Celtics last 7 Conference Semifinals games.
- 76ers are 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings in Boston.
- Road team is 8-3 ATS in the last 11 meetings.
- Underdog is 6-2 ATS in the last 8 meetings.
