Second-round NBA playoff betting opportunities will begin in Boston on Saturday night as the Celtics play host to the Philadelphia 76ers in the first game of their best-of-seven set.
The Celtics knocked out the Hawks with an 83-80 home win in Game 6 of their set on Thursday night, while the Sixers bounced the top-seeded Bulls in six games in their Eastern quarterfinal series.
Boston will face the 35-31 76ers, who own a 34-32 ATS mark on the season. In totals betting, the Celtics are 29-37 favoring the UNDER so far this season while the 76ers are 30-36 favoring the OVER.
View Philadelphia vs Boston Odds and Stats.
Betting Line:
Boston opened as 6-point favorites at Sportsbook, while the NBA total was set at 170.5 for those who prefer OVER/UNDER betting at Sportsbook.
Power Rankings / Prediction:
The Power Rankings at Odds Shark have the No. 6-rated 76ers taking on the No. 17-rated Celtics in this contest. Computer models indicate a possible 95-94 win for the 76ers on Saturday.
How They Match Up:
The game also pits Boston's No. 26-ranked offense, averaging 91.8 PPG, against a 76ers defense that ranks No. 3 at 89.4 PPG. The Celtics field goal percentage has averaged 46% so far, more than the 76ers shooters have achieved on the year, 44.8% per game.
In comparing how the teams stack up statistically, the 76ers own the league's No. 3-rated mark, allowing 93 points per game when on the road. Boston, on the other hand, rates No. 28 in home scoring.
Philadelphia 76ers Trends:
When playing on Saturday are 3-7
Before playing Boston are 1-9
After playing Chicago are 6-4
After a win are 6-4
Boston Celtics Trends:
When playing on Saturday are 9-1
Before playing Philadelphia are 9-1
After playing Atlanta are 8-2
After a win are 5-5
A few 76ers at Celtics trends to consider:
Philadelphia is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Philadelphia's last 9 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 6 games when playing Boston
Boston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Boston is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Philadelphia
Boston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Boston's last 8 games
Next up:
Philadelphia at Boston, Monday, May 14
Boston home to Philadelphia, Monday, May 14
