Game 7 and we go back to the Northeast as the Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics battle it out for the right to move on the Eastern Conference Finals. The game is scheduled for an 8:00 pm start time and it will be televised live on ABC. Currently the odds have Philadelphia favored by 5.5 points with the total sitting at 170 points for the contest.
Free Analysis: Wednesday’s Game 6 was not an offensive showcase for either team as Philadelphia won 82-75. Boston shot 33% FG and 21% threes (3-for-14), while committing more turnovers (17) than assists (14). PF Kevin Garnett continues to be the most valuable player of this series, pouring in another double-double (20 pts, 11 reb) in Game 6. He’s now averaging 20.0 PPG (52% FG) and 10.7 RPG through six games. PG Rajon Rondo had his worst game of the series on Wednesday, scoring just nine points with six assists and four turnovers. However, Rondo is averaging 14.7 APG in three home games this series, including 27 assists and just four turnovers in his past two games at TD Garden. SF Paul Pierce posted 24 points and 10 rebounds on Wednesday, but he has struggled at home in this series (12.3 PPG on 29.6% FG, 5.0 RPG), especially compared to how well he’s performed in Philadelphia (24.0 PPG on 46.3% FG, 9.3 RPG). The Celtics have been a great home team this season (29-10, 20-19 ATS), limiting visitors to just 84.3 PPG on 40.6% FG. On Wednesday the Sixers shot a strong 46% FG, but made just 1-of-9 threes and 61% free throws (17-for-28). 76ers PG Jrue Holiday was his team’s best player with 20 points and six assists, and PF Elton Brand had a second straight tremendous game with 13 points and 10 rebounds. After totaling 17 points (38.9% FG) in Games 1-4, Brand has averaged 16.0 PPG (59% FG) and 6.5 RPG in the past two contests. SF Andre Iguodala has been mostly strong throughout the series with 13.0 PPG, 5.8 RPG and 4.0 APG. Curiously, he’s made just 35.6% FG of his two-point tries, but a hefty 52.4% (11-for-21) of his threes for the series. SG Evan Turner has two double-doubles on the road in this series, averaging 12.3 PPG and 8.7 RPG at TD Garden. Despite the two off-days, neither team has been great with a long layoff, as the Celtics are 6-6 SU, 5-7 ATS, while the 76ers are 5-7 SU, 7-5 ATS in this well-rested scenario. Philly is a mediocre 20-21 (SU and ATS) coming off an SU win, but Boston is just 18-13 (15-16 ATS) after an SU loss. In terms of Game 7 history, the Celtics are 20-7 SU all-time while the 76ers are 6-8 SU, but haven’t played a Game 7 since 2002. Boston has played in five Game 7’s since 2001, winning the first three at home by 34, 5 and 10 points. But the team has dropped its past two Game 7’s, losing at home to Orlando in 2009 and coming up short in the 2010 NBA Finals in Los Angeles.
Free Pick: Gonna look to the Sixers in this one. Philly just seems to be ready to take that next step. Actually I'm not sure they will win the game outright, but they are playing with plenty of heart right now and should at least keep this one close. The Sixers were blown out in game 5 here, but this one is for all the marbles and you can expect a game more like the 1st two in this series, which was won by each team by just 1 point. Both teams play excellent defense, but I feel the Sixers have a bit more at that end of the floor. On Paper Boston may have a bit more offense, but they are beat up so that evens things out a bit. I just feel the Sixers defense will really be able to keep this one close.
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NBA Free Picks: Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics - Game 7
What NBA bettors need to know about 76ers at Celtics Game 7 - Including a free best bet from Pregame.com's Scott Spreitzer and Vegas Runner!