There have been 155 Game 7s in NBA playoff history, with 33 of those occuring in the First Round. Home teams are 115-40. Well, we will be getting the 156th and 34th in the First Round on Saturday, as the Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Boston Celtics, 106-93, on Thursday to force a Game 7 on Saturday.
With the matchup set, DraftKings Sportsbook has listed opening odds for Game 7 of this series, which takes place Saturday with the time yet to be determined. The Celtics enter as 8.5-point favorites with -310 odds to win on the moneyline. The 76ers are +250 underdogs with the game total set at 206.5 combined points.
Boston won the first game of the series in decisive fashion at home, 123-91. The Celtics shot 50% from the field and 36% from downtown while holding the 76ers to 39% from the field and 17% from beyond the arc. Boston racked up four more steals and had five fewer turnovers while being +10 in fast break points.
Philadelphia got the split in Game 2, 111-97. The script was flipped as Philadelphia shot 48% from the field and 49% from downtown while Boston was 39% from the field and 26% from beyond the arc. Philadephia had three more steals and four fewer turnovers.
Boston reasserted dominance with two straight wins on the road.
Game 3 was close with the Celtics emerging with the 108-100 victory. Both teams shot 44% from the field, but Boston grabbed eight more rebounds and dished out three more assists. The Celtics racked up three more blocks but committed six more turnovers and scored 16 fewer points in the paint.
Game 4 was another blowout, 128-96. Boston shot 48% from the field, compared to 41% for Philadelphia. The 76ers only went 9-of-30 from downtown while Boston blistered the nets, going 24-of-53. Boston grabbed 21 more rebounds.
On the brink of elmination, Philadelphia notched the impressive 113-97 win on the road in Game 5. The 76ers shot 50% from the field while holding the Celtics to 40%. Philadelphia also outshot Boston from downtown: 15-of-42 vs. 11-of-39. Philadelphia had three more blocks and two fewer turnovers.
On Thursday, Philadelphia dished out four more assists and racked up three more blocks than Boston. The 76ers also made eight more free throws.
