Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers Odds, Picks & Predictions - Game 4
A pair of Atlantic Division teams continue their NBA first round Eastern Conference playoff series in the City of Brotherly Love as the second-seeded Boston Celtics take on the seventh-seeded Philadelphia 76ers in Game 4 action Sunday night and we break down the Celtics vs. 76ers matchup here. In Game 1 of the series Sunday, Boston cruised to a 123-91 victory at home to draw first blood in the set. The Celtics easily covered the line as a 13.5-point favorite. Philadelphia took Game 2 111-97 on the road to square the series. They won outright as a 13.5-point underdog in that contest. Boston regrouped with a 108-100 road win in Game 3. On the other hand, the 76ers covered the line as an 8.5-point underdog.
In the all-time playoff series between the teams, Boston has won 15 of the 22 previous series. The Celtics own a 68-51 advantage in head-to-head playoff victories. Let’s break down this 76ers vs. Celtics matchup.
Celtics Seeking 3-1 Series Edge
Boston had a dismal shooting night in a Game 2 loss at home. The Celtics’ stars stepped up in crunch time in Game 3, helping them emerge with a victory and a 2-1 series advantage. In Game 3, Boston led the majority of the way but couldn’t put the 76ers away. The Celtics trailed by one with 8:42 remaining but went on an 8-0 run to go up 92-85 with 5:39 to play. Boston led the rest of the way, closing on an 8-2 run after Philadelphia got within two late. Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum each had 25 points to lead the Celtics in the victory.
In the postseason, the Celtics are 6th in the league in scoring offense with an average of 109.3 points per game. Boston is 5th in the league in rebounding with 46 boards per contest. They stand 5th in assists by handing out 25.3 assists per game. The Celtics are 5th in the league in scoring defense as they allow 100.7 points per contest. Jaylen Brown leads the team with an average of 29 points plus six rebounds and 3.7 assists per contest. Jayson Tatum contributes 23 points, 10 rebounds and 7.7 assists a night.
Boston is 9th in the league in field goal percentage as they shoot 44.6% from the floor this season. The Celtics are 1st in the league in threes per game as they hit 16.3 triples per contest. They are 8th in three-point field goal percentage by shooting 34.8% from beyond the arc. Meanwhile, Boston is tied for 2nd in the league in free throw shooting as they convert 82.5% of their attempts at the line this season.
Key Injury Report for Celtics:
- No Key Injuries
76ers Looking to Square Things Up Again
Philadelphia proved unable to build off their Game 2 win as they were downed at home in Game 3 Friday night. The 76ers look to regroup again to even the series before heading back to Boston for Game 5. Against Boston in Game 3, Philadelphia led by four in the opening quarter but trailed by five after the opening quarter. The 76ers trailed by seven at the half and by five after three quarters before taking an 85-84 lead in the fourth quarter. Philadelphia went scoreless the next three minutes and never got even again. Tyrese Maxey led the 76ers with 31 points and six assists in the loss.
In the playoffs, the 76ers are 12th in the league in scoring offense with 100.7 points per game. The 76ers are 13th in rebounding as they collect 39.7 rebounds per contest. They are 16th in assists by dishing out an average of 18.7 dimes a night. Philadelphia is 11th in the league in scoring defense as they allow an average of 109.3 points a contest. Tyrese Maxey leads the 76ers with 27 points and 7.7 assists per game this postseason. VJ Edgecombe (17.7 points, 7.7 rebounds) and Paul George (18 points) are good secondary scoring options.
Philadelphia is 10th in the league in field goal percentage as they shoot 43.4% from the floor as a team. The 76ers are tied for 8th in threes per game as they drain 11.7 triples a contest. They are 5th in three-point shooting by connecting on 36.1% of their attempts from beyond the arc. Conversely, Philadelphia stands tied for 14th in the league in free throw shooting as they convert only 70% of their attempts at the stripe.
Key Injury Report for 76ers:
- Center Joel Embiid (appendectomy) is doubtful for this contest.
- Forward Kelly Oubre Jr. (adductor) is questionable.
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After shooting 13 of 50 from beyond the arc in Game 2, Boston came back and hit 20 of 47 attempts in Game 3. Derrick White still has yet to break through with a good performance in the series. He is five of 25 (20%) from beyond the arc in the series. White had shot better than 38% from beyond the arc in three straight seasons before dropping to 32.7% this year. Even with those struggles, Philadelphia is minus one of their anchors in Embiid. They could conceivably be down or at least have a second starter limited as Oubre Jr. in this one. Maxey can’t carry the load on his own. Therefore,take the Celtics here as they take advantage of the 76ers for a 3-1 series lead.
Our Prediction: Celtics -7.5 (FanDuel, -106)
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