NBA 2022/23, on Tuesday, 02.05.2023
The first round is over – and two teams that are also among the tightest group of NBA title favorites will decide one of the four semifinalists between them!
Along the way, my Celtics 76ers tip today is overshadowed by Joel Embiid’s injury, which has had a big impact on my prediction.
After all, no one can simply replace the league’s upcoming MVP 1-to-1 – least of all the Sixers, who aren’t exactly wide open!
What a tumultuous first round that was – easy opponents, my ass! The Bucks are out and the Lakers managed to knock off the Memphis Grizzlies after another poor regular season.
In view of these developments, some fans of both opponents in my Celtics 76ers forecast will be rubbing their hands, as two unpleasant opponents in the fight for the NBA crown have already been eliminated.
However, Boston did not have it easy either. In the series against the Hawks, two games went to the red and white team. Nevertheless, despite six games, I never got the impression that the C’s advancement was in serious jeopardy.
The 76ers meanwhile dominated the first round! They won all four games against the Nets, celebrating a perfect “sweep” as each of their three duels against the New Yorkers already went to PHI in the Regular Season.
Fans of the 76ers, meanwhile, had every reason to rejoice, as the production from the bench – often considered lacking – was sensational in the Series against Brooklyn! Almost all of the bench players were able to excel at various points in the four games.
Nevertheless, bad news hit Philadelphia these days, causing the Celtics 76ers odds regarding a Philles away win to suddenly rise to an average of 3.20.
Joel Embiid, the almost certain MVP of the current season, has knee problems again and might miss the first game against the C’s as a kind of precautionary measure – loosely based on the motto: Don’t risk the Series!
However, this would undoubtedly have serious consequences on the Sixers’ game, as they don’t have a strong “second line” anyway.
Another challenge for the guests is that they already looked overmatched against the duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown several times this season. Indeed, there have been plenty of opportunities to go head-to-head this season!
The C’s prevailed in three of the four regular-season games, while the last tête-à-tête went to the Sixers 103-101 on April 5. But a closer look at that matchup only reinforces my Celtics 76ers tip all the more.
Because in that said matchup, Joel Embiid scored more than half (52) of his team’s points and was fundamental to their success. His failure to do so shows right off the bat how difficult it will be for Philadelphia to repeat that performance without the Cameroonian.
If Joel Embiid drops out, more will depend on James Harden, but the brawny guard is also not at 100% health-wise.
“The Beard” will play, but his impact on the Series against the Nets has been manageable and he has missed 6 of the last 11 regular season games as well.
Consequently, I have my doubts that he will be able to deliver a required monster performance on Tuesday. Since the 76ers’ bench – as already mentioned – is not very strong anyway, Philadelphia might just lack punch in the end.
The odds of 1.33 on average, which are offered, for example, via the extensive Bwin app for a success of the green and white, are “ok” if Joel Embiid should actually sit out.
Nevertheless, I wouldn’t reach for too high a HC bet here to spice up the Celtics 76ers betting odds a bit.
After all, the recent strong production off the bench will prevent the Sixers from going under. I’ll go with up to a 7 point margin, but no more than that!
Conclusion: I think the 76ers – on top of that away from home – will spare their superstar in the opener. For Joel Embiid to be wasted early in this Series could seal PHI’s fate early.
As soon as the Cameroonian enters the series, the C’s will certainly have their work cut out for them, as the PHI center has always been a thorn in the side of their own defense due to his playmaking ability and height.
But as it looks now, the Bostonians should prevail relatively clearly in the first exchange of blows, but without being able to put a fat exclamation mark.
My Celtics 76ers tip: BOS wins at HC -6.5.
