Boston Celtics vs Philadelphia 76ers Prediction, Preview and Odds - 05/05/2023

Game Time: 7:30 pm ET, Friday, May 5, 2023

Venue:  Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA 

Where to Watch:  ESPN

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Celtics -1.5, 76ers +1.5; Over/Under:  214 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Celtics -1.5, 76ers +1.5; Over/Under:  214 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Celtics -1.5, 76ers +1.5; Over/Under:  213.5 points

Boston Celtics:  57-25 (1st place, Atlantic Division)

Philadelphia 76ers:  54-28 (2nd place, Atlantic Division)

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Boston Celtics:  7-3 last 10

Philadelphia 76ers:  8-2 last 10

The Celtics finished the regular season with a 57-25 record overall and they were 25-16 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off of a win against the Philadelphia 76ers in their last game. Jaylen Brown led the team in points in that game with 25 while Malcolm Brogdon was next on the team with 23 points. Jaylen Brown, Grant Williams, and Robert Williams III each led the team in assists in that game with 4 while Jayson Tatum, Al Horford, and Robert Williams III each led the team in rebounds with 7. They were 46.7% from the field, 39.2% from 3-point range, and 93.8% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 117.9 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 111.4 PPG against them. The Celtics have an ATS record of 51-39 this season and their O/U record is 47-41-2.

The 76ers finished the regular season with a 54-28 record overall and they were 29-12 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off of a loss against the Boston Celtics in their last game. Tobias Harris led the team in points in that game with 16 while Joel Embiid was next on the team with 15 points. James Harden led the team in assists in that game with 4 while James Harden led the team in rebounds with 10. They were 39.2% from the field, 20% from 3-point range, and 82.6% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 115.2 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 110.9 PPG against them. The 76ers have an ATS record of 51-35-2 this season and their O/U record is 46-40-2.

The current betting odds have the 76ers listed as a 1.5 point underdog in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. This is game 3 of a 7-game series between the 2nd seeded Celtics and the 3rd seeded 76ers for the 2nd round of the playoffs in the NBA Eastern Conference. This series is all tied up 1-1 going into Philadelphia after the Celtics tied the series in game 2 with a big home win. Joel Embiid returned to the lineup for the 76ers in game 2 but it didn't do them any good as the Celtics came out strong from the start and ensured they tie up the series 1-1 going to Philadelphia for the next 2 games. The Celtics won by over 30 points but now that Embiid has been inserted back into the lineup and got some playing time with the team in that game, he will play much better in his 2nd game back here on their home court so look for the 76ers to respond to that loss in a big way. The 76ers still have a really talented team that can keep up with the Celtics and the Celtics have a very bad track record this season when it comes to following up on big performances like they had in the last game. This will be a letdown spot for the Celtics after that huge home win and the 76ers will have a response of their own on their home court here. The best way to place a bet here is on the 76ers to cover the spread in this game and take a 2-1 series lead.

Celtics 76ers Prediction:  Our NBA Pick for Friday, May 5, 2023 (7:30 pm ET start time) is 76ers 117 Celtics 111.

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Boston Celtics: 4-8 ATS after a huge blowout win by 30 or more. 0-4 ATS off a win by 20 points or more over a division rival. 15-3 UNDER when the line is +3 to -3. 9-2 UNDER off a win against a division rival.

Philadelphia 76ers: 22-9 ATS when the line is +3 to -3. 12-2 ATS revenging a road loss vs opponent. 28-12 UNDER after a huge blowout loss by 30 or more. 8-3 UNDER off a road loss against a division rival.

Boston Celtics:  D. Gallinari (SF) out for season - Knee.

Philadelphia 76ers:  None.

“I think we've just got to take more pride in ourselves. That's it. I just feel like we underperformed last game. We wanted to come out and play to the best of our ability. And that's what we did.” - Jaylen Brown after their win against the 76ers in their game on Wednesday, game 2 of this series.

“I felt pretty good to play and I felt like I could help the team. I feel like I just got this out the way. Disappointed by the loss. But that's a step toward getting back to myself.” - Joel Embiid after their loss against the Celtics in their game on Wednesday, game 2 of this series.

PG Marcus Smart

SG Derrick White

SF Jaylen Brown

PF Jayson Tatum

C Al Horford

PG James Harden

SG Tyrese Maxey

SF Tobias Harris 

PF P.J. Tucker

C Joel Embiid

PPG: J. Tatum (30.1)

APG: M. Smart (6.3)

Reb/G: J. Tatum (8.8)

PPG: J. Embiid (33.1)

APG: J. Harden (10.7)

Reb/G: J. Embiid (10.2)

Coaches:

Boston Celtics: Joe Mazzulla (1st season)

Philadelphia 76ers: Doc Rivers (3rd season)