Boston Celtics (61-30 SU, 57-32-2 ATS) vs. Philadelphia 76ers (56-33 SU, 51-36-2 ATS)
Time: Saturday, May 5th, 2018 5:00 PM EDT
Where: Wells Fargo Arena Philadelphia, PA
TV: ESPN
by Keith, Professional NBA Handicapper, Predictem
Odds Boston +400, Philadelphia -500
Point Spread: Philadelphia -9
Total Line: 206.5
The Boston Celtics will hit road to travel to the Philadelphia 76ers for Game Three of the Eastern Conference Semifinals when the 76ers host the Celtics at the Wells Fargo Arena in the City of Brotherly Love on Saturday, May 5th, 2018 at 5:00 PM EDT. The contest will be televised on ESPN for national audiences. The Celtics have now won ten of the last twelve contests against the 76ers. That trend continued on Thursday when the Celtics defeated the Sixers 108-103 despite closing as a 3.5-point pooch on its court. The Celtics have now built a 2-0 lead after securing a Game One tally where the Celtics won convincingly at 117-101. Now, the Celtics will take to the road where they have yet to win one game this playoff campaign outside of Beantown.
The divisional rivalry component of this series sets up this Semifinal affair to be all the more competitive. The Atlantic Division has been known as a bedrock of the NBA for many years. It is safe to say that in the 2017-2018 season, it has emerged as one of the top divisions in the league as it features the top three seeds in the Eastern Conference. All three of these teams survived and made it to the Conference Semifinals. If Toronto were to win their respective series, the Conference Finals will be all Atlantic Division with a definite winner representing the division in the NBA Finals.
There are many betting trends worth looking at here. The Celtics have gone 5-1 ATS in their last six matches against Philadelphia. At home, Philadelphia is 32-11 SU whilst the Celtics retain an overall pleasant 27-16 road record. The Over has gone 8-3 ATS in the last eleven meetings between these two rivals.
In this position, the Celtics offer appeal in that they are riding the hot hand as of now against the Sixers. Both Boston wins were quite convincing to the public eye. When you toss in a plethora of points, the Celtics look like a savory play taking back the tag.
The fact remains that the Celtics are a far less potent team on the road. As mentioned, the Celtics lost all three first-round contests when they were in Milwaukee. With respect, one of them was just by a mere bucket. However, Philadelphia plays in an animated environment which juices up this young and relentless group of players. The Sixers will play this one also with a sense of urgency albeit if they were to go down 3-0, they would be staring elimination in the face.
From the opening tick, we have seen a lean materialize on the Celtics. This has been reflected when the market moved by point in the direction of Boston. Moreover, 55% of the cash and 70% of the ticket action is with the Celtics in this market. In the Over/Under, we have seen the market fall by two points to reflect action on the Under. 74% of the cash action is on the Under whilst 83% of the ticket action is on the Over to counter this trend.
From first glance, it would make no sense that the 76ers would be spotting this kind of lumber given the fact they are trailing in the series by two games. As a result, we have seen some forums light up with many calling the Celtics a gift in this spot. However, books are extra sharp in playoff markets so there is no such thing. Generally, when the dog looks this appetizing it is because the favorite is indeed to win in convincing fashion despite what the public may believe. We saw Boston in this spot in Game Three against Milwaukee where the Bucks were a mid-range favorite despite being dominated in Boston. Milwaukee would cover with ease. Philadelphia will do the same here.
KEITHs PICK: Philadelphia -9 at 5Dimes to get the best line on this game and guys if you don’t have an account here, now is the time to save money during the NBA playoffs and all season long in MLB!