betting experts
Despite having Joel Embiid ruled out for Game 1, the Philadelphia 76ers were able to accomplish all of their goals heading into the TD Garden.
Behind an incredible renaissance performance from James Harden, the Sixers upset the Boston Celtics and have taken homecourt advantage away from the number two seed.
Since Embiid entered the league, Philadelphia’s postseason prospects have laid entirely on his massive shoulders, or more specifically, the health of the body carrying those massive shoulders.
Click for live odds
In earlier years, Embiid missing a game was basically a death sentence for the Sixers, at least for each individual game that he was to miss. Now, Philadelphia has proven that they’re a serious threat against any other playoff team, even with their All-NBA center and MVP sidelined.
Throughout the entirety of the 2022-2023 NBA regular season, James Harden purposefully took a backseat to Embiid, happy to play his new role as a table-setter and aim to lead the league in assists.
He accomplished that goal, averaging a league-best 10.7 helpers per game, enabling Embiid to become the league’s leading scorer while taking a step back with his own offensive numbers.
While the Beard was clear in conveying that his new role in the offense was purposeful and for the benefit of his team, his reduced points output led pundits and critics to question his ability to flip the switch back into his Houston Rockets era should the need ever arise.
Boston Celtics vs. (3) Philadelphia 76ers
- Date: Wednesday, May 3rd, 2023 8:00 PM ET
- Location: TD Garden, Boston, MA
- TV channel: TNT
- Spread: +10 -110 76ers – Celtics -10 -110
- Moneyline: +415 76ers – Celtics -540
In Game 1, he quashed all the doubt surrounding his offensive ability, as he matched a playoff career-high with 45 points against one of the best defenses in the league, hitting improbable shot after improbable shot, including a clutch triple in Al Horford’s face to take the lead in the closing minutes of the game.
With the Sixers up 1-0 and Embiid nursing an injury, Philadelphia now has two options thanks to James Harden — and partly to Tyrese Maxey, too.
The 76ers could either use their lead and their newfound confidence without Embiid to allow him to sit out Game 2 and continue to heal, or they could bring Embiid back and try to stomp out the Celtics by taking a commanding 2-0 lead on the road.
Boston Celtics vs Philadelphia 76ers Head to Head Overall
| Total | Boston Celtics | Philadelphia 76ers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Matches | 31 | 19 | 12 |
| NBA Regular Season | 19 | 9 | 10 |
| NBA Summer League | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| NBA NBA Preseason | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| NBA Playoffs | 8 | 7 | 1 |
Taking a 2-0 lead before heading back to Philly all but ensures that the Sixers will advance to the Eastern Conference Finals, health permitting. But being cautious with Embiid could prove to be the smarter route down the road. It’s a tough situation, but it’s the one the Philadelphia 76ers want to be in, and they owe it to "Houston Rockets" James Harden.
JAMES HARDEN FROM DEEP 😱
HE HAS 45 PTS. SIXERS LEAD 117-115.
8 SECONDS LEFT ON TNT pic.twitter.com/qWu1dmMhkg
— NBA (@NBA) May 2, 2023
The Squatchpicks simulation model, which simulates every NBA game thousands’ of times, up over 150 units over the last three years. A $100 bettor of our NCAAB would have netted a profit of $15,000+ and, a $1,000 bettor would have won $150,000+. We offer picks on NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, XFL, PGA Golf and NCAA Basketball and Football. Now is the time to sign-up, get all the picks, and start winning.
| Title: The Philadelphia 76ers have a tough choice to make after going up 1-0 against the Boston Celtics
| Author: Andy Quach
| Date: April 30 2023
