Boston Celtics at Philadelphia 76ers NBA Picks & Predictions 5/5/2018

Monday, May 7, 2018

Wells Fargo Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Boston Celtics travel to Wells Fargo Center to play the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday, May 7, 2018 in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. The Celtics lead the series 3-0. The opening line for this matchup has Philadelphia as 6 point favorites.

The Celtics head into this matchup after finishing the regular season with a mark of 55-27. They were 2nd in the Atlantic Division. They had a point differential of 3.6 as they averaged 104.0 points per contest while giving up 100.4 per game. The 76ers had an overall mark of 52-30. They finished 3rd in the Atlantic Division. They totaled 109.8 points per contest and gave up 105.3, which is a point differential of 4.5.

Valuable Boston Celtics Betting Trends

The Boston Celtics are 56-32-4 against the spread

The Boston Celtics are 49-42-0 against the over/under

Important Philadelphia 76ers Betting Trends

The Philadelphia 76ers are 52-38-0 against the spread

The Philadelphia 76ers are 45-44-0 against the over/under

Key Boston Celtics Injuries

10/17/17 SF Gordon Hayward Ankle is out indefinitely
04/05/18 G Kyrie Irving Knee is out for season
03/12/18 F Daniel Theis Knee is out for season

Key Philadelphia 76ers Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Al Horford comes into this contest averaging 12.9 points per game while playing 31.6 minutes per night so far this season for the Celtics. He pulls down 7.4 rebounds per game and dishes out 4.7 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 49% while his free throw percentage is currently at 78%. Jayson Tatum averages 13.9 points per game in 30.5 minutes per contest this season. He averages 1.6 assists per contest and 5 rebounds per game for Boston. His field goal percentage is 48% for the year while his free throw percentage is 83%.

Player Spotlight

Joel Embiid averages 22.9 points per game while playing 30.3 minutes per contest this year for the 76ers. He grabs 11 rebounds per game and has 3.2 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 48% and his free throw percentage currently is at 77%. Ben Simmons averages 15.8 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 33.7 minutes per contest. He also averages 8.1 rebounds per contest and 8.2 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 55% and his free throw percentage is 56%.

Useful Team Statistics

Boston averages 104 points per contest this season, which ranks them 20th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 3.59 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 21st. Behind the arc they shoot 38% which is good for 2nd in the league. They average 44.5 rebounds per game and 22.5 assists per game, which ranks them 7th and 20th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 16th with 14 per game. The Celtics allow 100.4 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 3rd in the league. They also allow a 44% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc, ranking them 2nd and 1st in those defensive categories. Opponents average 43.8 rebounds a game which ranks 21st and they give up 21.3 assists per contest, which puts them in 4th place in the league. They force 14.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 10th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Philadelphia is 7th in the league with 109.8 points per game this year. They are 7th in the league in shooting at 47%, while their average scoring margin is 4.5. They shoot 37% from 3-point range, which is good for 10th in the NBA. They are 1st in the league in rebounding with 47.4 boards per game, and 2nd in assists per contest with 27.1. The 76ers are 1st in turnovers per game with 16.5. The 76ers surrender 105.3 points per contest, which ranks them 11th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 43% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 1st and 2nd in those defensive statistics. They rank 6th with 21.7 assists allowed per contest and 6th with 42.2 rebounds surrendered per game. The 76ers are 17th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.3 per game this season.

Advanced Statistics

The Celtics are 18th in the NBA in offensive rating with 107.6, and their defensive rating of 103.9 is ranked 29th. In terms of pace they are 22nd in the league with 96 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 15th. As a team they are 14th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 36% of their shots, ranking 8th in the league. Boston is 16th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 50%, which is 29th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Philadelphia is 1st in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.6 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 49%, which is 30th in the NBA. The 76ers are 12th in the league in defensive rating with 105, and their offensive rating of 109.5 is ranked 27th. They are 4th in the NBA in pace with 99.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 54% is 7th. As a unit they are 8th in the league in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shot attempts, ranking 13th in the NBA.

Who will win tonight's NBA game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take Philadelphia -6

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