The Boston Celtics survived a first-round matchup with the Milwaukee Bucks that went the distance. Now, they will face the Philadelphia 76ers next in the second round. Will the Celtics draw first blood in the series? Or will Philly flash its might and steal a win at TD Garden?
Register here to make your pick.
Betting Preview for Philadelphia 76ers vs Boston Celtics NBA Eastern Conference Round 2 Game 1 on April 30, 2018
Where: TD Garden, Boston
When: Monday, April 30, 8:00 PM EST
Line: Philadelphia 76ers (point spread) vs Boston Celtics (point spread) – view all NBA lines
TV Broadcast: TNT
Betting on the Philadelphia 76ers (-2.5)
The Sixers are well-rested by Monday after five full days of rest by Monday. Philadelphia ran over the Heat in the first round, as they are currently tops in these playoffs with 114.2 points per game while they also kept the Miami Heat’s offense down to only 44.2 percent shooting from the field. Without a doubt, the Sixers will be spearheaded by the young combo of Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons after the both of them gave Miami huge headaches in the first round. Simmons has been averaging 18.2 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 9.0 assists this postseason, while Embiid has been chipping in 18.7 points, while also being an intimidating defensive presence in the paint, as evidenced by his 3.0 blocks average in the first round. Embiid should be able to carve his space against Boston’s frontline that features an undersized Al Horford and a limited Aron Baynes.
The Sixers are 6-1 ATS in their last seven road games.
Betting on the Boston Celtics (+2.5)
The Celtics guaranteed that their fans will see them play more games at home this postseason after taking down the Milwaukee Bucks at home in Game 1 of their series on Saturday, 112-96. Terry Rozier continues to impress as the Celtics point guard this postseason. He scored 26 points on 10-for-16 shooting from the field in the series-clinching win over the Bucks. Rozier, however, is going to be in a tough matchup with the bigger and heftier Ben Simmons. As mentioned, Horford, who scored 26 in Game 7, is also ound to match up with a bigger player in Embiid, so Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum will have heavier workloads in the wings in the second round. Brown is averaging 17.9 points this postseason, while Tatum is posting 15.4 points per game.
The Celtics are 9-1 ATS in their last 10 home games.
Writer’s Prediction
Philadelphia wins, 110-100.
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