Boston (2-0) at Philadelphia (0-2)
When: Saturday, May 5th 2018
Where: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA
Time: 8:05 ET | TV: ESPN
Opening Odds: Philadelphia -9.5/207.5
Ben Simmons has been getting all the hype coming into the postseason, but its another rookie who has lifted the Boston Celtics to a 2-0 series lead over the Philadelphia 76ers in their best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinal. Jayson Tatum scored 21 points and hit a pair of free throws in the closing seconds to help the Celtics rally past Philadelphia 108-103 in Game 2 on Thursday. Terry Rozier added 20 points, nine assists, and seven rebounds as the Celtics improved to 5-0 at TD Garden this postseason. Philadelphia led by as many as 22 points, but saw that lead evaporate to five just before halftime. Simmons had his worst game in his first postseason appearance, scoring one point on 0-of-4 shooting and had a team-worst -23 rating, while turning the ball over five times. Boston is 36-0 all-time when holding a 2-0 lead in a best-of-seven series, while the Sixers are 0-11 when in an 0-2 hole.
Rozier is averaging 25 points over the past three playoff games, while Tatum is averaging 24.5 points over the first two games of the series and he is the first Boston rookie to score 20 or more in four straight playoff games since Hall of Famer Larry Bird in 1980. Shooting guard Jaylen Brown scored 13 points in 25 minutes off the bench after missing the series opener with a hamstring injury. Center Al Horford recorded 13 points and 12 rebounds in Game 2 for his fourth double-double of the postseason.
Star center Joel Embiid had 20 points and 14 rebounds for his fourth consecutive double-double but was just 8-of-22 shooting. JJ Redick scored 23 points in Game 2 and has four straight 20-point outings. The Sixers shot a dreadful 5-of-20 from three-point range in the Game 1 loss and improved on that in Game 2 (13-of-33), but went cold after jumping out to their 22-point lead.
Is this series over? No, but these next two games are must-wins for Philadelphia. Boston has played much better as a team so far and the Sixers might be showing their youthful age. Remember, this team was supposed to be 1-2 years away from competing, and they may be playing a little over their head right now. I see Philly coming back strong and getting a Game 3 win, but not by double-digits. Take the points.
Pick: Celtics +9
- Celtics are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 Conference Semifinals games.
- Celtics are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
- Celtics are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
- Celtics are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
- Celtics are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 vs. Eastern Conference.
- Celtics are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 vs. NBA Atlantic.
- Celtics are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games playing on 1 days rest.
- Celtics are 19-7 ATS in their last 26 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
- Celtics are 40-15 ATS in their last 55 Saturday games.
- Celtics are 21-8 ATS in their last 29 games overall.
- Celtics are 21-8 ATS in their last 29 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
- Celtics are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games following a ATS win.
- Celtics are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games following a straight up win.
- Celtics are 49-22-1 ATS in their last 72 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
- Celtics are 41-19-2 ATS in their last 62 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
- Celtics are 47-22-2 ATS in their last 71 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
- Celtics are 36-17 ATS in their last 53 road games.
- 76ers are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 Saturday games.
- 76ers are 6-2-1 ATS in their last 9 games following a straight up loss.
- 76ers are 21-7 ATS in their last 28 home games.
- 76ers are 22-8 ATS in their last 30 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600.
- 76ers are 21-8 ATS in their last 29 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
- 76ers are 10-4 ATS in their last 14 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
- 76ers are 15-6 ATS in their last 21 games overall.
- 76ers are 15-6 ATS in their last 21 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
- 76ers are 12-5 ATS in their last 17 vs. Eastern Conference.
- 76ers are 12-5 ATS in their last 17 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
- 76ers are 27-12 ATS in their last 39 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
- 76ers are 65-32-2 ATS in their last 99 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
- 76ers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 Conference Semifinals games.
- 76ers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games playing on 1 days rest.
- Over is 8-1 in Celtics last 9 games following a straight up win.
- Over is 8-1 in Celtics last 9 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
- Over is 8-1 in Celtics last 9 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
- Over is 7-1 in Celtics last 8 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
- Over is 7-1 in Celtics last 8 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
- Over is 5-1 in Celtics last 6 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
- Over is 5-1 in Celtics last 6 vs. NBA Atlantic.
- Over is 5-1 in Celtics last 6 Conference Semifinals games.
- Over is 13-3 in Celtics last 16 overall.
- Over is 7-2 in Celtics last 9 games playing on 1 days rest.
- Over is 16-5 in Celtics last 21 Saturday games.
- Over is 6-2 in Celtics last 8 games following a ATS win.
- Over is 18-7-1 in Celtics last 26 vs. Eastern Conference.
- Over is 7-3-1 in Celtics last 11 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
- Over is 9-4-1 in Celtics last 14 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
- Over is 4-0 in 76ers last 4 games following a ATS loss.
- Over is 4-1 in 76ers last 5 games following a straight up loss.
- Under is 7-2-1 in 76ers last 10 games playing on 1 days rest.
- Over is 6-2 in 76ers last 8 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
- Over is 8-3 in 76ers last 11 vs. Eastern Conference.
- Over is 8-3 in 76ers last 11 vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
- Over is 5-2 in 76ers last 7 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
- Over is 5-2 in 76ers last 7 Conference Semifinals games.
- Celtics are 5-1 ATS in the last 6 meetings.
- Over is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Philadelphia.
- Celtics are 6-2 ATS in the last 8 meetings in Philadelphia.
- Over is 8-3 in the last 11 meetings.
- Underdog is 8-2 ATS in the last 10 meetings.
