As expected, we are witnessing a great series between the Boston Celtics and the Philadelphia 76ers that is tied at 2 games apiece, and this Tuesday, May 9, they will fly to Boston for Game 5.
We expected no less. Two teams killing each other on the field, with the star players standing out, and giving agonizing results. But let’s review what we have experienced in parts.
When:
Started on Monday, May 1 at 7:30 pm ET at the TD Garden and Wells Fargo Center
Moneyline odds:
Boston Celtics -300
Philadelphia 76ers +240
Where Can I Watch?
Roundup
In Game 1 we had the absence of Joel Embiid. The Cameroonian could not recover from the injury that kept him from the last game against the Brooklyn Nets, and everyone in Philadelphia was biting their nails. However, when they needed him most, James Harden appeared.
The “Beard” had an extraordinary performance where he scored 45 points, his highest offensive production since he is with the 76ers and the most points scored since he did 47 with the Houston Rockets in 2019. The point guard was the hero scoring a triple with nine seconds to go, he turned the score around and put his team ahead 115-116. Then Paul Reed made his two free throws to give Philadelphia the win and send a message: We can win without Joel Embiid.
In the second game, Embiid returned, but the Celtics’ defense was impressive, and they were far superior to their rivals, winning all four quarters. Despite Jayson Tatum only being able to play 19 minutes due to the number of fouls, Boston’s five-man team managed to win 121-87. The 76ers were only up on the scoreboard in the first few minutes when they managed to get up 5-7, but then it was all down to the locals.
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Jaylen Brown was the leading scorer of Game 2 with 25 points, while Malcolm Brogdon was a big help with his 23 points. Tatum could only score 7 points but contributed with his 7 rebounds and 3 assists. On the Philly side, Tobias Harris scored the most (16), and Harden dropped from 45 points in Game 1 to just 12.
For Game 3 they flew to the Wells Fargo Center in a great and even game. The locals started better and kept the first quarter, but the visit turned the score and the series around. It was a 102-114 and the series was 1-2. Joel Embiid and James Harden each achieved double-doubles, while the center had 30 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists, the point guard had 16 points, 6 rebounds, and 11 assists. However, the Jay-Jay duo was more effective with their combined 50 points, along with 17 rebounds and 10 assists.
The situation began to get dangerous for the 76ers because, despite the return of Embiid and already being at home, they could not turn it around and the Boston Celtics were already taking the lead. But like in Game 1, when he was most needed, he showed up.
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James Harden was the consecration figure of Game 4, first by managing to tie the game with 17 seconds remaining with his two-point shot and taking the game to overtime, and then with his triple with 19 seconds remaining on the board to be able to take the victory by 116 -115 in a great game.
The “Beard” was again the one from the beginning of the series and had 42 points, 8 rebounds, and 9 assists, this time supported by Embiid and his 34 points, 13 rebounds, and 4 assists. Tatum also had a sensational game and was in that one-on-one battle with Harden. The Celtics forward had 24 points and 18 rebounds and were the one who was giving his team the overtime victory, also with a triple, until Harden appeared.
Final Betting Analysis: Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers
If something has become clear to us in this series, it is that the Philadelphia 76ers need James Harden, even more than Joel Embiid. The “Beard” has had two great games, and they won in both, while the Cameroonian also has to be a little more decisive if he wants his team to break the negative streak of consecutive defeats in the conference semifinals: 6 and 2 of them against the Celtics.
For the part of the Boston quintet, they have shown that beyond individuality, they are a team and that anyone can be decisive, although the Jay-Jay duo is a bonus that anyone would like to have. Tatum is at a great level although he has had his ups and downs, while Brown has been more constant throughout the series.
This will be the fifth game for the NBA at the TD Garden this season between these two teams, and the home team has won three of them. The 76ers have proven to have a good road game and have won 5 of their last 6 away games.
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From what has been seen in these last 4 games, the 76ers need great individual performances from their two stars to win, and it is something that is not very profitable because they generate a dependency, contrary to what happens with the Celtics who are a true team, and that is why we believe that they are going to end up prevailing in this series.
At MyBookie.ag we find that the Boston Celtics is the favorite of Game 5 with a Moneyline of -300, while the Philadelphia 76ers have +240.
They have met 21 times in the postseason, and the Celtics have won 14 series, in addition to winning the last 5.
Go for a straight win for Boston Celtics in the Moneyline in Game 1. If you bet $100 on the win at -300, you will gain $33 for a total payout of $133.
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