Boston (35-21) at Philadelphia (36-20)
When: Tuesday, February 12th, 2019
Where: Wells Fargo Center,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Time: 8:05 ET | TV: TNT
Opening Odds: Philadelphia -5/226
Two Eastern Conference powers that appear to be heading in opposite directions at the moment will meet for a key matchup in Philadelphia as the 76ers host the reeling Boston Celtics on Tuesday night – live on TNT. The Celtics failed to make any moves prior to the trade deadline and that might come back to haunt them especially if Kyrie Irving can’t get healthy. The All-Star guard went down late in the first half on Saturday and Boston proceeded to not only blow a 28-point lead against the Los Angeles Clippers, they actually lost by 11! That came on the heels of a buzzer-beating loss to the other Los Angeles team, as former Celtic Rajon Rondo’s buzzer beater sent Boston fans home unhappy. The Sixers meanwhile, made significant upgrades at the trade deadline and are playing like a team ready to win the Eastern Conference. Philly has now passed Boston in the standings after wins over the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Lakers, the latter coming Saturday in the form of a 143-120 rout. Joel Embiid recorded 37 points and 14 rebounds in Sunday’s triumph over the Lakers as Philadelphia moved into fourth place in the East – 1.5 games behind slumping Indiana. Boston won the first two meetings at home including a win on Christmas Day where Irving poured in 40 points. Kyrie has already been ruled out for Tuesday’s contest.
Gordon Hayward came off the bench on Saturday after Irving went down and recorded a team-high 19 points as the rest of the Boston starters went 14-for-42 from the floor. Hayward averages 11.8 points while shooting 36.4 percent from 3-point range at home, compared to 9.4 and 25.9 percent on the road. The Celtics will be back in Boston tomorrow night to host the Detroit Pistons in their last game before the All-Star Break.
Forward Tobias Harris is already feeling at home with his new team and had 22 points on 9-of-14 in his second game as a Sixer in the win over L.A. on Sunday. Point guard Ben Simmons, who is 0-for-14 in his career in shots beyond the arc, almost got his first on Sunday, but it rattled in and out, but the star did what he’s supposed to do and contributed seven assists in the win. Experts say the Philadelphia bench is thin, but tell that to T.J. McConnell, who is 8-for-8 from the floor with zero turnovers in 33 minutes over his last two games.
Boston usually gets the better of Philly, but things are starting to change now. Without Irving, the Celtics will have trouble competing with the East’s best, and the Sixers are in that category. Look for an easy 76ers victory.
Pick: 76ers -6
Celtics are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Celtics are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games following a double-digit loss at home.
Celtics are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 Tuesday games.
Celtics are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 vs. NBA Atlantic.
Celtics are 9-4 ATS in their last 13 games following a straight up loss of more than 10 points.
Celtics are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 road games.
Celtics are 5-14 ATS in their last 19 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Celtics are 4-12 ATS in their last 16 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Celtics are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up loss.
Celtics are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
76ers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 Tuesday games.
76ers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
76ers are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
76ers are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points.
76ers are 5-13 ATS in their last 18 games after scoring more than 125 points in their previous game.
76ers are 3-10 ATS in their last 13 vs. NBA Atlantic.
76ers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 vs. Eastern Conference.
Under is 5-0 in Celtics last 5 road games.
Over is 6-0 in Celtics last 6 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Over is 10-1 in Celtics last 11 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Over is 6-1 in Celtics last 7 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Over is 4-1-1 in Celtics last 6 games following a double-digit loss at home.
Under is 4-1 in Celtics last 5 vs. NBA Atlantic.
Over is 4-1 in Celtics last 5 games following a ATS loss.
Over is 17-5 in Celtics last 22 games following a straight up loss of more than 10 points.
Under is 5-2 in Celtics last 7 vs. Eastern Conference.
Under is 5-2 in Celtics last 7 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 12-5 in Celtics last 17 games playing on 2 days rest.
Under is 6-1 in 76ers last 7 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Under is 5-1 in 76ers last 6 overall.
Under is 5-1 in 76ers last 6 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 5-1 in 76ers last 6 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 5-1 in 76ers last 6 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 5-1 in 76ers last 6 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 5-2 in 76ers last 7 games playing on 1 days rest.
Over is 7-3 in 76ers last 10 vs. Eastern Conference.
Favorite is 4-0 ATS in the last 4 meetings.
Home team is 4-0 ATS in the last 4 meetings.
Celtics are 6-1 ATS in the last 7 meetings.
Celtics are 7-3 ATS in the last 10 meetings in Philadelphia.
