Philadelphia was a solid NBA betting online favorite in their playoff series with Boston. Factoring large was the injury to the Celtics top scorer Kyrie Irving. Most experts believed that was too much offense to replace. In fact, Philly is a promising team with plenty of upside. Just two years ago they went 10-72. But now they are built to last. But playoff basketball often teaches hard lessons to young teams. Growing pains for emerging powers are part of post season. So far, the Celtics have run a clinic on playoff basketball. And Boston can clinch the series Wednesday.
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics Game 5
Date and Time: Wednesday, May 9, 2018, 8 p.m. Eastern
Location: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
NBA Betting Online Odds at SBG:
| Team | Spread | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 76ers | +1 (-110) | 204½ (-110) |  |
| Celtics | -1 (-110) | 204½ (-110) | |
| |||
76ers vs. Celtics TV Coverage: TNT
Boston leads this NBA betting online playoff series 3-1. A win in game five puts the Celtics in the Eastern Conference final. Should the 76ers win game six will be at Philadelphia. If necessary a game seven would be back at Boston. Game four saw the Sixers stave off elimination. On their home court they scored a 103-92 payout. Forward Dario Saric led all scorers with 25 points for Philly. Guards TJ McConnell and Ben Simmons added 19 points each. Center Joel Embiid had 15 points and 13 rebounds. It was a complete team victory.
Joel Embiid in one of the reasons the future is so bright for the 76ers. So far in post season the big man is averaging 21 points and 13 rebounds per game. Embiid has transformed the Sixers more than any other team. Regular season action saw Embiid lead with 23 points and 11 rebounds per tilt. Complementing Embiid is guard JJ Redick. Post season action has seen Redick average 19 points per game. Philly demonstrated good balance in the regular season. Offensively they ranked seventh in the NBA. Defensively they were 11th. They ranked best for offensive rebounds.
Boston has become a phenomenal sportsbook success in these playoffs. Written off for dead after Kyrie Irving went down they have instead thrived. Head coach Brad Stevens is the big reason why. He may be the best coach in the NBA. First round action saw the Celts eliminate Milwaukee in seven games. Now against a talented 76ers team Boston has stepped it up. Stevens has simply put together a strong team approach. As a result, the sum is greater than the whole of their parts. Four Celtic players are averaging 16 points per game or better.
Best of all Boston is playing with the confidence of a champion. They own an intangible element not seen on a stat sheet. Playoff pressure is mounting for the young Sixers. Their inexperience has shown much of this series. At TD Garden Boston has paid in three of their last four vs. Philadelphia. Eight of the last 11 in this series at TD Garden have gone over the total.
Matchup to Watch
Philadelphia should be respected as a team of the future. But home court looms as the top NBA betting online matchup factor in game five.
76ers vs. Celtics NBA games Betting Odds Picks
Boston as a power home dog to clinch the series.
NBA Betting Online Pick: Boston Celtics
NBA Betting Online Score Prediction: Celtics 100, 76ers 91
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