The Philadelphia 76ers take on the Boston Celtics in Game 2 of their 2nd round best-of-seven series, tonight in Boston. The game is scheduled for a 7:00 pm start time and it will be televised live on TNT. Currently the odds have Boston favored by 4.5 points with the total sitting at 174 points for the contest.
Free Analysis: The Celtics eked out a one-point victory over the 76ers in an extremely even Game 1, but hope to get some more separation in Game 2 on Monday night. Both teams shot an identical 36-for-82 FG (43.9%), the rebounds were 36-33 in favor of the Celtics, Philly had two fewer turnovers (11 to 13) and one more block (8 to 7) in the 92-91 Boston win on Saturday. With its ATS victory on Saturday, Philadelphia is now 17-20 (19-18 ATS) on the road, and is also a solid 24-18 (22-20 ATS) with one day of rest this season. The 76ers are also decent after an SU loss, going 19-14 (17-16 ATS) in this scenario, allowing a mere 87.1 PPG. SF Andre Iguodala’s strong showing (19 points, six rebounds, six assists) led the 76ers in Game 1, but the PG duo of Jrue Holiday and Lou Williams shot a combined 7-of-24 FG with four assists and four turnovers. SG Evan Turner was the one guard who played extremely well, finishing with 16 points (7-of-13 FG), 10 rebounds, four steals and three assists. C Spencer Hawes (15 points, eight rebounds) and reserve PF Lavoy Allen (12 points, six rebounds) were the other double-digit scorers for Philly. Allen played more minutes (20) than starting PF Elton Brand, who posted underwhelming numbers of four points and one rebound in his 15 minutes of action before suffering a left cervical neck spasm. He and SF Thaddeus Young (right ankle sprain) are both expected to play on Monday night though. The Celtics made just 2-of-18 threes in Game 1, but were nearly perfect from the foul line (18-of-19) to help erase the 10-point deficit with 11 minutes remaining. Although Boston had the two best players on the court Saturday in PG Rajon Rondo (13 points, 12 rebounds, 17 assists, four steals) and PF Kevin Garnett (29 points, 11 rebounds), the rest of its team did not shoot particularly well, most notably SF Paul Pierce (3-of-11 FG). However, Pierce still contributed six rebounds, six assists and two blocks. SG Ray Allen scored 12 points (4-of-10 FG) in 33 minutes off the bench, while SG Avery Bradley chipped in with eight points (4-of-11 FG), but had just one assist and two turnovers. The Celtics have been hot lately as Boston has won five of their last six, however the Celtics are just 2-6 against the spread in their last eight games against the Philadelphia 76ers. The Celtics are also a solid 25-16 ATS on 1 days rest this year.
Free Pick: Were gonna go with the Under in this one. In game 1 I had the Over, but I feel that adjustments will be made and a more deliberate and slower paced game will ensue. Both of these teams have been two of the better defensive teams this year and that's where the adjustments will be made in this one. Philly has allowed just 87 ppg on 1 days rest, while the Celtics have allowed just 89 ppg in the same situation. Boston allowed the Sixers 91 points in game 1 and that is not normal as they ahve allowed just 84.3 ppg in their home games this year. Philly allows 92.8 pg on the road, but I believe they will play a bit more solidly at that end of the floor in this one, especially vs a Boston team that is not shooting all that well. Look for this one to finish in the 160's.
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Betting Strategies: Handicapping NBA Playoffs
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