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Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics: Conference Semifinals, Game 1 Prediction, Player Props, & Betting Tips
By Sam Batz
The NBA Playoffs continue on Monday, May 1st with an Eastern Conference Semifinal Game 1 matchup between the No. 2 seed Boston Celtics and the No. 3 seed Philadelphia 76ers (7:30 PM EST, TNT). This is a highly anticipated matchup between two of the best teams in the NBA. Both Boston and Philadelphia have strong claims to the Eastern Conference Title, especially with the No. 1 seed Milwaukee Bucks out of the running. The Celtics are looking to defend their title, while the Sixers are hoping to reach the Conference Finals for the first time since 2001. However, because of doubts surrounding Joel Embiid’s knee, the Celtics are heavily favored in Game 1.
The Philadelphia 76ers (+10; ML +375)
This year marks the 6th consecutive season that the 76ers have qualified for the postseason. But Philly has been eliminated in the Conference Semifinals 4 out of the last 5 years. The Sixers swept the Nets in the First Round, but a devastating injury to their star player, and the likely MVP, Joel Embiid, has put a damper on Philly’s hopes. Boston is a great team, and without Embiid, the Sixers will struggle to keep up offensively. Philly was already averaging just 103.8 points per game, but now face a Celtics side averaging over 120 points in the playoffs. The Sixers will lean heavily on their defense, which was fine in the First Round, but may not be enough to beat Boston.
The Boston Celtics (-10; ML -500)
The Celtics are arguably the best team in the East, despiste ending the season as the No. 3 seed. The Celtics are impressive on both sides of the court, scoring from anywhere on the floor and shutting down some of the best players in the league on defense. Boston has a 59% chance to reach the Eastern Conference Finals for a second consecutive season. The Celtics are fortunate to have a healthy starting lineup, and will certainly take advantage of the Sixers injury situation. The Celtics are excellent at home, winning 78.0% of the time during the regular season, and will look to take an early 1-0 lead in Game 1.
76ers vs. Celtics: Game 1 Odds
Team | Current Spread | Current Total | Opening Moneyline |
Philadelphia 76ers | +10 (-110) | Ov 213.5 (-110) | +375 |
Boston Celtics | -10 (-110) | Un 213.5 (-110) | -500 |
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76ers vs. Celtics: First Round Stats
No. 3 Philadelphia 76ers (4-0) 103.8 (13th) 92.5 (1st) 45.0 (11th) 40.6 (2nd) 114.3 (6th) 102.5 (2nd) 2-0 (100.0%) 2-0 (100.0%) | Stat Type Points/Game Opponent Points/Game Field Goal % Three-Point % Offensive Rating Defensive Rating Home Record (Win-Rate) Away Record (Win-Rate) | No. 2 Boston Celtics (4-2) 121.2 (2nd) 115.8 (10th) 51.2 (3rd) 40.5 (3rd) 118.8 (4th) 114.3 (10th) 2-1 (66.7%) 2-1 (66.7%) |
76ers vs. Celtics: Betting Trends (Regular + Postseason)
Philadelphia 76ers 50-34-1 24-18 (Away) 31-23-1 (vs. East) 46-40 1-3 13-13 (as Underdogs) 10-11 (Underdogs – Away) 0-0 (Playoff Underdogs) | Betting Trend ATS (Season) ATS (Home/Away) ATS (Conference) O/U (Season) O/U (Playoffs) ML (Favorite/Underdog) ML (Home/Away) ML (Playoffs) | Boston Celtics 49-38-1 26-18 (Home) 35-23 (vs. East) 45-41-2 4-2 52-21 (as Favorites) 30-9 (Favorites – Home) 4-2 (Playoff Favorites) |
76ers vs. Celtics: Player Props
Jayson Tatum (Celtics Small Forward): Under 29.5 Points (-120)
Tatum leads the Celtics in points per game (27.2) and went over 29.5 points twice in the First Round. But the 76ers are much better than the Hawks defensively, and Tatum won’t have as much freedom to roam. He will almost certainly record 20+ points, but I predict he will go under 29.5 in Game 1.
Tyrese Maxey (76ers Point Guard): Under 24.5 Points (-125)
If Embiid is sidelined, Philly will need their guards to step up. They won’t win the game unless the Sixers front court can match Boston’s, and for Philly, that starts with Tyrese Maxey. He averaged 21.8 points in the First Round, and against a suffocating perimeter defense like Boston’s, Maxey will have very little room to work. I predict he goes under 24.5 points in Game 1.
76ers vs. Celtics: Game 1 Prediction
Take the Boston Celtics to win Game 1. They are tough to beat at home and are playing much better offensively than the Sixers. If Embiid can’t go, Philly is in trouble. The Sixers rely on Embiid to score, rebound, and protect the rim, and without him a massive hole will form. Boston can exploit the space Embiid would have filled by dominating the paint. The Sixers shoot the 3-ball well, but so do the Celtics, and it will come down to points in the paint, which the Celtics will win.
Prediction: Boston Celtics Moneyline (-500)
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