The Boston Celtics are a win on Sunday away from sweeping the Philadelphia 76ers and moving on to the second round of the playoffs. However, Joel Embiid has vowed that he’ll do everything to avoid getting swept. Which team’s goal will come true in Game 4? Check out our preview of this game below.
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Betting Preview for the Boston Celtics vs Philadelphia 76ers NBA Playoffs Round 1 Game 4 on August 23, 2020
Where: Walt Disney World, Orlando
When: Sunday, August 23, 2020, 1:00 PM ET
Line: Boston Celtics (-8.5) vs. Philadelphia 76ers (+8.5) – view all 2020 NBA lines
TV Broadcast: ABC
Betting on the Boston Celtics (-8.5)
Regular Season Record: 48-24
Jayson Tatum and the Celtics continue to dominate the Sixers, as they earn a 102-94 win on Friday. The Celtics got 24 points from Kemba Walker, who is a win away from winning his first playoff series in the NBA. Boston’s defense suffocated the Sixers, holding Philadelphia down to just 29.5 percent shooting from the field. Boston didn’t shoot well themselves, connecting on only 41.4 percent of their shots, but the Celtics were able to execute better on offense, thanks in large part to Walker, who shot 10 for 20 from the floor. Tatum scored only 15 points, though, that was because he figured into early foul trouble, picking up his third foul before the end of the first quarter. So far in the series, Tatum is averaging 26.7 points on 46.7 percent shooting, while Jaylen Brown is making 23.3 points on the same shooting percentage. Boston has yet to solve Joel Embiid, but the Celtics are doing a fine job of muzzling the other Sixers. Philly has not shot better than 42 percent in any of the last two games in the series.
The Celtics are 3-0 against the spread in their last three games.
Betting on the Philadelphia 76ers (+8.5)
Regular Season Record: 43-30
Brett Brown’s seat is definitely warm right now, especially following the Sixers’ Game 3 loss to Boston. The only one getting the job done in Philly is Embiid, who had another terrific effort go to waste in a loss. Embiid scored 30 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in Game 3. He shot only 7 of 20 from the field, but went 14 for 16 from the foul line. His size and aggressiveness are causing Boston’s slim frontcourt to buckle, and he is definitely taking advantage of it. However, Embiid needs his teammates to show up. Al Horford only had six points in 38 minutes in Game 3. Tobias Harris scored 15 on 19 shots. More frustrating for Philly is its bench that contributed just nine points — all coming from Alec Burks. As mentioned in previous previews, the Sixers have to get it together from behind the arc. The Sixers shot 36.8 percent from deep in the regular season but that’s now down to 26.4 percent in the playoffs.
The Sixers are 3-4 against the spread in their last seven games against Boston.
Writer’s Prediction
The Sixers win, 114-112.
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