The Celtics and 76ers continue their first round series with Game 2 in Boston on Tuesday. On DraftKings Sportsbook, Boston is favored by 14.5 points and this game carries a total of 217.5 points.
Let’s dive into my preview and pick for this matchup.
Celtics vs. 76ers preview
The Celtics ran the 76ers out of the gym in Game 1, defeating their rival 123-91. Boston led for the entire contest, by as many as 35 points, and the club shot 50% from the field while holding Philadelphia to 38.9% shooting.
Jayson Tatum looked sensational in his first playoff game since tearing his Achilles last May, posting 25 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists. Jaylen Brown also scored 26 points and six players for the Celtics reached double figures.
For the 76ers, Tyrese Maxey and Paul George scored 21 and 17 points, respectively. After them, VJ Edgecombe scored 13 and Kelly Oubre Jr. added 10 points, but no other Philadelphia player cracked double-digits. Joel Embiid (appendix) reportedly began his strength and conditioning program yesterday, so there is a slight hope he could return later in this series, but in the meantime, there isn’t much hope for the 76ers on both sides of the ball.
Philadelphia is 22-24 with Embiid inactive and the team’s net rating drops from +5.2 with him on the floor to -2.7 with him off. The Celtics are one of only two teams that rank top-five in both offensive and defensive rating this season, so the 76ers scoring enough to keep pace with Boston or playing well enough on defense to slow down the offensive juggernaut both feel like impossible tasks for this Embiid-less Philadelphia team, particularly with Tatum healthy and thriving.
Boston is 14-3 with Tatum active and the team’s net rating increases from +7.4 with him off the floor to +12.6 with him on. To put this in perspective, the Thunder led the NBA in net rating in the regular season at +11.1.
The Celtics look ready to contend for their second championship in three years, while the 76ers are just trying to stay afloat until maybe Embiid could make his return. Philadelphia may put up a better fight in Game 2, but the 76ers winning this game in Boston would be shocking to say the least. The Celtics are 31-11 at home and 9-1 at home with Tatum in the lineup.
Celtics vs. 76ers pick, best bet
The NBA saw two upsets by road teams last night, but that isn’t going to happen in this matchup. This 76ers team is simply no match for the Celtics and Boston should cruise to another easy win.
The Celtics -14.5 is a strong play, but under 217.5 points is an even better wager. Boston ranks dead last in pace and the team is a league-best 50-35 for the under. The five Celtics vs. 76ers matchups this season are 4-1 for the under and that outlier came with Embiid active.
