Philadelphia is the most improved team in the NBA. Just two years ago the 76ers were humiliated with a 10-72 record. But when Bryan Colangelo took over as general manager things quickly changed. The Sixers are in the playoffs for the first time since 2012. Best of all they became a profitable NBA betting online asset. Few teams made as much money for gamblers than Philly. But playoff basketball features different dynamics. Boston may be missing their top player. But they are not missing heart and character. Defense and coaching remain Celtic strengths.
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics Game 2
Date and Time: Thursday, May 3, 2018, 8:30 p.m. Eastern
Location: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
NBA Betting Online Odds at SBG:
| Team | Spread | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 76ers | -3½ (-110) | 207 (-110) |  |
| Celtics | +3½ (-110) | 207 (-110) | |
| |||
76ers vs. Celtics TV Coverage: TNT
Series so Far
Boston earned an impressive 117-101 game one payout. Over the total soared past the number of 205. Guard Terry Rozier led the Celtics with 29 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Forward Jayson Tatum added 28 points. Fellow Forward Al Horford pumped in 26 more. It was the ultimate team effort. Center Joel Embiid’s 31 points went to waste for Philly. Games three and four of this series will move to Philadelphia. If necessary game five returns to Boston. Philly would host game six. And a seventh NBA betting online matchup would be hosted by the Celtics.
Boston
So far in the playoffs Boston has been an outstanding sportsbook value. Six payouts in eight post season games have pleased gamblers. Over the total has paid in six of their eight playoff games. Brad Stevens is again demonstrating why he is a top shelf coach. With top weapon Kyrie Irving out, he still finds a way. Most teams would pack it in. They would use the loss of their best player as a crutch. Stevens instead uses it as a motivating factor. Team basketball is powering the Celts. Four players are averaging 17 points per game or better.
Philadelphia
Young Philadelphia certainly got a lesson in playoff basketball. Opening at Boston was not going to be easy. Now they realize just how much of a fight they are in. Four payouts in six post season games is indicative of good value. Embiid leads the Sixers with 22 points and 11 rebounds per playoff game. Guard JJ Redick has added 20 points per game. Talent wise its arguable the Sixers have more talent. But playoff basketball is a tough lesson they are learning on the fly. Head coach Brett Brown now faces the challenge of keeping his team up.
Team vs. Team
Philadelphia has covered in five of their last eight games with Boston. Six of the last nine between the Sixers and Celtics went over the total. TD Garden has seen the Sixers pay in four of their last five visits. Three of the last five in this series at Boston went under the total.
Matchup to Watch
Once again Philadelphia is the NBA betting online road favorite. Boston has shown it will be a tough home dog. Celtic playoff experience remains the matchup difference.
76ers vs. Celtics NBA games Betting Odds Picks
Boston is a dog with bite at home and is the pick.
NBA Betting Online Pick: Boston Celtics
NBA Betting Online Score Prediction: Celtics 110, 76ers 106