Game 7 – 76ers vs. Celtics Picks, Predictions, Odds

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The NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals conclude on Sunday mid-afternoon with a highly anticipated Game 7 showdown between the Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics. Coverage begins from TD Garden in Boston at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC.

The Celtics are 1-3 SU in their last four home games. (Getty)

PHILADELPHIA 76ERS vs. BOSTON CELTICS BETTING PREDICTION

After beating the brakes off the Celtics in Boston to take a 3-2 lead in Game 5, the Sixers had a chance to close out this series at home on Thursday night, but they passed up that opportunity in grand fashion, as Philly shot just 36% from the field and 24% from three-point range in an ugly 95-86 loss in Game 6.

Boston tried to hand them the series in Thursday's contest. Jayson Tatum scored just one point on 0-of-10 shooting in the first half of Game 6,  and as a team, the Celtics posted a -6 turnover differential and -4 free throw differential with their backs against the wall in a hostile environment.

However, the Sixers simply didn’t bring their best stuff in Game 6, aside from Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, of course, as Philly’s other seven players that saw 5+ minutes of action combined for just 34 points on 27% from the floor and 22% from beyond the arc in the latest meeting between these teams; while Maxey and Embiid had solid nights with 26 points apiece on roughly 46% from the field in the loss.

Celtics’ bettors have a lot to feel good about heading into Game 7. Tatum was absolute garbage for three-of-four quarters in Game 6, and Boston’s supporting cast still found a way to keep them in the game long enough for Tatum to break out of his slump and score 16 points on 50% shooting in the fourth quarter.

The Celtics still have plenty of reason for concern heading into this one as well, though. James Harden has been a ticking time bomb in this series, and you never know when he’s going to fully take over a game, highlighted by Harden erupting for 45 and 42 points on the way to victories in Games 1 and 4 of this series, and then scoring 17 points or less in the other four; he might be due for another big one.

Another reason for concern, Thursday night wasn’t the first time that Tatum has disappeared for an entire half in this series. Fortunately, Marcus Smart and Malcolm Brogdon picked up the slack by combining for 38 points on 54% shooting throughout Game 6, but in most instances, the Celtics can’t count on receiving such strong individual offensive performances from guys outside of the Brown-Tatum duo.

There’s no denying the fact that the Celtics are one of the most talented and dangerous teams in basketball, they’re the only team in the league that ranks Top 3 in both offensive and defensive rating. However, everything about this Boston’ squad has felt a few degrees off its axis this year, and it’s been tough to pinpoint exactly what the issue is.

Over the course of this series, though, another weakness has emerged and been on full display, which is the inexperience of head coach Joe Mazzulla. Mazzulla has been thoroughly outcoached in both games that were decided by four points or less in this series, and unless Tatum knocks down four-of-five three-point attempts in the fourth quarter like he did in Game 6, it’s almost impossible to trust the Celtics to build upon and protect a sizable lead down the stretch of a winner-take-all game against a Philly’ squad that’s already proven to be beyond worthy of their respect. 

Push comes to shove, Mazzulla and co. simply cannot be trusted in crunch time. The Celtics are 0-3 in matchups decided by four points or less since the start of the playoffs, and as much as homecourt tends to be a huge looming factor in the playoffs, the Sixers have already won a pair of road games in this series. Boston is laying far too big of a number in this one. Take the points with Philly in Game 7.

Score Prediction: Sixers 104, Celtics 102
Best Bet: Sixers +7 (-110)

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PHI @ BOS Odds

PHILADELPHIA 76ERS vs. BOSTON CELTICS BETTING RESOURCES

Date: Sunday, May 14, 2023
Venue: TD Garden
Location: Boston, Massachusetts
TV-Time: ABC, 3:30 p.m. ET
Matchup
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NBA Finals Betting Odds

PHILADELPHIA 76ERS vs. BOSTON CELTICS BETTING STATS

Philadelphia 76ers
SU: 61-31
ATS: 54-37-1
O/U: 48-43-1
PPG: 115.2
OPPG: 110.9

Boston Celtics
SU: 64-30
ATS: 52-41-1
O/U: 51-42-1
PPG: 117.9
OPPG: 111.4

Straight Up (SU), Against the Spread (ATS), Over-Under (O/U)
Points Per Game (PPG), Opponents Points Per Game (OPPG)

The Sixers are 6-1 SU in their last road seven games. (Getty)

PHILADELPHIA 76ERS vs. BOSTON CELTICS BETTING TRENDS

  • The Sixers are 8-3-1 ATS in their last 12 games.
  • The total has gone OVER in four of Philadelphia's last six games.
  • The Sixers are 9-3 SU in their last 12 games.
  • The Celtics are 11-5 ATS in their last 16 games.
  • The total has gone OVER in eight of Boston's last ten games.
  • The Celtics are 12-6 SU in their last 18 games.
  • The Celtics are 10-3 SU in their last 13 home games.
  • The Celtics are 12-5 SU in their last 17 home games against Philly.
  • The Sixers are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 matchups against Boston.
  • The Sixers are 6-1 SU in their last road seven games.
  • The total has gone OVER in four of Boston's last six games against Philadelphia.