The Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics are set to face off in a highly anticipated Game 7 matchup in the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the NBA playoffs. This article takes a closer look at both teams and makes a betting pick for the game.
The 76ers have had a strong season on the road, winning 25 out of their 41 road games, tied with Boston for the second most road wins in the NBA. Their success on the road has been due to their strong offensive rating of 118.2, which is ranked first in the NBA by a wide margin. However, their defensive rating has been a slight area of concern, particularly in the three matchups played in Boston, where their defensive rating has spiked to 121.1.
On the other hand, the Celtics have struggled with consistency from key players like Jayson Tatum and Al Horford, particularly in the first half of games. Tatum, who averaged more than 30 points per game in the regular season, has shot just 13.3% from the floor overall and 7.7% from three in the first half of the last three games. Horford has also struggled, shooting just 6.7% overall and 8.3% from behind the arc in the first half of those same games. As a result, Boston’s first-half point differential in those games sits at -11.
Despite these challenges, the Celtics have managed to win three out of the six games in the series and force a Game 7. However, the spread in this matchup is still slightly high at 6.5 points, given the slower pace at which the 76ers play and their ability to keep games close.
Overall, this matchup is expected to be low-scoring and tightly contested. While it is difficult to rely on Tatum to shoot poorly, the slower pace of the game is likely to benefit the 76ers, who have been successful on the road all season. As a result, betting on the 76ers to cover the spread and potentially win the game is a solid pick.
All eyes will be on Game 7 on Sunday as both teams battle it out for a spot in the Eastern Conference Finals.
