NBA Philadelphia 76ers vs Boston Celtics Game 1 Spread and Prediction

Date/Time:  04-30-2018, 20:00 EDT

Spread: Boston Celtics +2

Total: +210

Two Eastern conference teams that won their first round series in a completely different fashion are clashing in this semifinal, when the 2^nd-seeded Boston Celtics (55-27), who eliminated Milwaukee 4-3, are hosting the 3^rd-seeded Philadelphia 76ers (52-30), who eliminated Miami in five games.

Philadelphia finished the regular season with a 52-30 record (47-33-2 ATS) and were placed 3^rd in the East. They are 19-1 in their last 20 games and in their latest matchup they were victorious against Miami at home, 105-91. Boston finished the regular season with a 54-26 record (50-30-2 ATS) and were placed 2^nd in the East. They are 2-1 in their last 3 matches and in their last game they were victorious against Milwaukee at home, 112-96.

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Sixers are led in scoring by JJ Redick with 20 ppg. He is followed by Joel Embiid with 18.7 ppg and 10.3 boards per game, while Ben Simmons adds 18.2 ppg and team-bests both in boards with 10.6 and in dimes made 9 per game. Celtics are led in scoring by Al Horford with 18.1 ppg. He also adds a team-best 8.7 boards per game, while Jaylen Brown adds 17.9 ppg and 4.7 boards. Terry Rozier adds 17.6 ppg and a team-best 6.7 dimes per game.

In their four meetings earlier this season, Boston led Philadelphia 3-1 wins, with each team having won once in Boston. Boston are 31-14 at home so far this season, while Philadelphia are 24-19 on the road. Philadelphia are the best offensive team of the postseason with 114.2 ppg to Boston’s 102.4, while Boston have a better defense, allowing 101.9 ppg to Philadelphia’s 103.4. Philadelphia have better accuracy both from the field with 44.9% to Boston’s 44.3% and from behind the arc with 36.3% to Boston’s 35%. Sixers are also better in rebounding, grabbing 50 to Celtics’ 43.1 and dish more assists, with 26.6 to Celtics’ 21.6, while Boston commit less turnovers (13 to 16). Celtics will be without Kyrie Irving for the whole postseason and the promising Sixers are coming in this game hot and they also had almost a full week of rest before this game. Pick Sixers for a road win by more than 2 points today.

Philadelphia 76ers vs Boston Celtics Game 1 Prediction: Philadelphia 76ers -2 (-110)