NBA 2022/23, on Wednesday, 10.05.2023
This series is by far the most exciting of the 2023 NBA playoffs, and even though I’m secretly favoring the Celtics, the Sixers are finding their ways to pull off unexpected wins thanks to occasional explosions of performance early in the game.
In my Celtics 76ers tip, I’m going to resort to a special bet that takes into account both the tactics of the Green and White and the general impressions from the first four games of this gripping series.
As I’ve already sufficiently elaborated in my previous predictions for this game, it just so happens that the 76ers are tiring early – in part because the Celtics are specifically trying to catch Joel Embiid in the crossfire.
The hulking PHI center is targeted on every play, both defensively and offensively, and forced to work hard for each of his points. The result of this is usually a sharp drop in performance in the final period.
Game 4 was no different, with the only difference being that the Celtics took themselves out of the running with a poor shooting performance in the first half to such an extent that a successful comeback was out of the question.
Boston still managed to force overtime after a halftime score of 50:59. In this one, however, the 76ers kept the upper hand, so PHI ended up ahead 116-115 on the scoreboard.
On this just described phenomenon, which pulls itself like a red thread through this series, I would like to capitalize tonight with a Bet365 sports bet. Because the data are unmistakable for this.
It stands namely after games 2:2, but in three of these four encounters scored the Celtics after the break more points than the Sixers. Especially in the final period, the C’s usually either pull away or catch up strong – depending on the starting position.
Bottom line, I think the C’s will not only win the final quarter tonight, but maybe even the entire game.
Crucial to this assessment is not only the existing potential of the team, but also the body language and attitude of some key players in Game 4.
For Jayson Tatum had delivered a subterranean first half of the game with only one of 9 attempts, 2 points and 2 fouls.
Nevertheless, the figurehead of Boston did not give up and almost led his team to a successful comeback – certainly not a matter of course for such a young player.
James Harden, on the other hand, had to finally deliver in Game 4 on the part of PHI and did it in the end! Because such a strong performance as yesterday with 42 points was long overdue with his qualities!
Nevertheless, I would not necessarily conclude that “The Beard” can seamlessly continue this performance tonight. Too often this season, the guard has been conspicuous for his inconsistency…
When it comes to consistency, I trust the Celtics much more, because all key players rarely show an inexplicable drop in performance – apart from the already mentioned weak half of the game in the last duel.
The fact that the Series was shipped back to Boston is not insignificant. In fact, home-field advantage must be given extra weight in games played at TD Garden.
That’s because Boston has won 10 of its last 12 NBA games in front of a home crowd, and three of its previous four season duels against the Sixers.
However, I have to take up the cudgels for the guests at this point. Because while I agree with a general favoring of the C’s, I don’t agree with the Celtics 76ers odds that the bookmakers have called for Game 5.
After all, an odds ratio of 1.32 to 3.30 in favor of the green and white is a little too clear for me!
Sure, Joel Embiid continues to plague himself with knee problems. But that didn’t stop the beefy Cameroonian from putting 34 points on the scoreboard in Game 4 to lead Philadelphia to victory.
Conclusion: I still maintain that the C’s could have won Game 4 if so many unexpected mistakes hadn’t crept in during the first half of the game.
Targeting the opposing center and letting him tire early is a Boston tactic that is usually successful in the second half. If they now complete a decent first half on top of that, there’s even more in it this time than just a strong photo finish!
In my Celtics 76ers tip, however, I stick to wanting to take the safe route and use a verified sports betting app to place a bet there according to which Boston wins the 4th quarter.
