The Philadelphia 76ers (0-3) will try to extend the series when they meet the Boston Celtics (3-0) at Wells Fargo Center in game four of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. The game can be seen on TNT at 6 p.m. ET on Monday, May 7, 2018.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 204.5 points with Philadelphia opening as a 6.5-point favorite.
Boston Celtics at Philadelphia 76ers ATS Prediction
Rozier had 18 points and seven rebounds in game three, in which the Celtics defeated the 76ers 101-98, covering as 9.5-point underdogs. The game finished with a total of 199 points, which was 6.5 points below the projected point total of 205.5 points. Boston’s 0.505 effective field goal percentage was its biggest advantage over Philadelphia, who had a rate of 0.438.
Baskets could be hard to come by in this showdown between a pair of the league’s best defenses. Philadelphia ranks third in defensive efficiency (102.8) and Boston is second (102.6).
Boston heads into the game with records of 62-30 straight up (SU) and 56-32-4 against the spread (ATS). Of the Celtics’ 92 games, 49 have finished over the total.
Meanwhile, Philadelphia is 56-34 SU and 52-38 ATS. Similarly to Boston, a little over half of 76ers games have finished over the total.
Both teams have had a player step their game up over their last five games. Terry Rozier (21.4 points, 6.8 assists, 6.2 rebounds and 1.2 steals) has been fantastic for the Celtics while JJ Redick (20.8 points) has made great contributions to the 76ers.
Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers ATS Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Celtics, ATS Winner – Celtics, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Boston is 30-15 ATS on the road with 23 unders, 21 overs and 1 push.
At home, Philadelphia is 29-15 ATS with 24 unders, 19 overs and 1 push.
In games where they allow under 100 points, Boston is 39-6 and Philadelphia is 23-0.
The 76ers are 53-21 when they score more than 100 points, while the Celtics are 48-14.
Philadelphia ranks eighth in points in the paint per game (47.0) while Boston ranks 29th (40.1).
The Celtics rank seventh in steals allowed per game (7.2) while the 76ers rank 26th (8.5).
Philadelphia ranks second in assists per game (27.0) while Boston ranks 20th (22.4).
The Celtics rank 11th in points off turnovers allowed per game (15.4) while the 76ers rank 28th (18.4).
Philadelphia ranks first in rebounds per game (47.6) while Boston ranks 18th in rebounds allowed per game (43.6).
The 76ers rank fifth in second chance points per game (13.9) while the Celtics rank 16th (12.3).
Philadelphia ranks 16th in fast break points per game (11.4) while Boston ranks 27th (9.5).
The Celtics rank ninth in three pointers attempted per game (30.5) while the 76ers rank 17th in three pointers allowed per game (29.7).
Boston averages 4.5 blocks per game, which ranks 19th in the NBA. Philadelphia ranks 22nd in blocks allowed per game (5.2).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Boston is 4-1 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Philadelphia is 2-3 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games.
The Celtics’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 5.8, up from 3.5 for the season.
During their last five games, the 76ers have scored an average of 102.4 points per game (7.3 below their season average) and allowed an average of 103.8 points per game (1.5 below their season average).
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