Free NBA Pick: 76ers vs. Celtics NBA Odds
Looking for Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics free NBA picks & NBA playoff odds? NBA betting sees the 76ers taking on the Celtics on Monday, August 17, 2020, at Walt Disney World Resort. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NBA basketball matchups so stay tuned for more FREE daily NBA playoff hoops predictions like this Nuggets Raptors matchup.
2020 NBA Playoffs Handicapping Round 1 (Orlando)
Game 1
(0-0) Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics (0-0)
Date: Monday, August, 17th 2020
Time: 6:30 PM EST
Venue: Walt Disney World Resort – The Field House| ESPN Complex)
NBA Moneyline Odds: 76ers +214 | Celtics -230
NBA Betting Odds: 76ers +5.5 | Celtics -5.5
NBA Betting Total: 218.5
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The three-seeded Boston Celtics and sixth-seeded Philadelphia 76ers could offer the most entertaining and competitive East series of the first round.
Philly won the season series 3-1, but that was before Ben Simmons was lost following arthroscopic knee surgery.
Philadelphia 76ers
Without Ben Simmons and the club needing to revamp their rotations yet again, the 76ers failed to capitalize on the second easiest strength of seeding schedule going 4-4 in the bubble and finishing the season with a record of 42-30.
While the Celtics have more pure talent, arguably the best player on the court will be Joel Embiid. Factor in, Philly seemed to prefer the sixth seed in order to face Boston and avoid Miami and Jimmy Butler.
In the bubble, per 100 possessions the 76ers ranked third offensively (118.6), 17th defensively (114.8), and fifth in net differential (+3.8). On the full season, their ratings are 14th (110.7), eighth (108.4), and 10th (+2.3) respectively.
Glenn Robinson III is dealing with an oblique muscle strain that will keep him out until late August. Ben Simmons (knee) is lost for the playoffs.
Boston Celtics
Following a 5-3 bubble performance, the Celtics finished the season with a 48-24 record which landed them in third in the East.
Despite slowly easing Kemba Walker back into the rotation the Celtics didn’t miss a beat in the bubble although their schedule was the seventh easiest.
Regardless, Boston produced impressive victories over the Blazers and Raptors. Their other victories came against the Nets, Magic, and Grizzlies.
Losses to Eastern foes the Bucks and Heat raise questions over their size in the frontcourt and the defense of the same.
In the bubble, per 100 possessions the Celtics ranked sixth offensively (116.7), sixth defensively (108.4), and second in net differential (+8.3). On the full season, their ratings are fourth (112.8), fourth (106.5), and third (+6.3) respectively.
Jayson Tatum (ankle) Daniel Theis (foot) and Vincent Poirier (groin) are probable while Romeo Langford (wrist) is questionable.
NBA Betting Trends:
- Over is 11-3 in PHI last 14 overall.
- Over is 6-2-1 in BOS last 9 vs. Eastern Conference.
- PHI are 5-12 ATS in the last 17 meetings.
Free Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics NBA Prediction:
The two teams in the East who resembled their pre-hiatus selves best were the Celtics and Raptors but while Toronto relies on defense the Celtics excel on all fronts. Their weakness is teams with size up front, so the 76ers may be their worst possible opponent.
As Brad Stevens astutely noted without Simmons the 76ers offense is the best in the NBA. Normally, that wouldn’t be a problem for the Celtics stellar defense. The problem is how do they stop Joel Embiid and cover the perimeter when their depth at center is suspect.
On the other hand, Philly will miss Simmons’ stout defense and put a lot of pressure on rookie Matisse Thybulle to be a factor limiting Tatum and Brown.
4* Free NBA Betting Pick: 76ers +5.5
With Tatum likely to play but nursing a sore ankle that bodes well for Philly, at least in Game 1.
While it feels like this series could go the distance the 76ers are such an up and down team they could just as easily get down a game and implode.
Take the 76ers and the points or bet the over.
***NOTE*** In case you missed it…When the 2020 NBA 16-team playoff field is set, the NBA Playoffs will proceed in a traditional conference-based format with four rounds and best-of-seven series in each round. The 2020 NBA Finals will end no later than Oct. 13.
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