The Boston Celtics looking to drop the hammer on the Philadelphia 76ers heading into Friday night’s game 3.
The Celtics are 5 1/2 point favorites heading into Game 2 according to the online sportsbook Betonline.ag. The over under is up from game 2. Tip-off from HP Field House in Orlando, is set for 6:30 p.m. ET.
THE SKINNY
The Celtics are coming off a 128-111 blowout win in game 2 – their first without Gordon Hayward who is out 4 weeks with a grade 3 ankle sprain. The 76ers meanwhile are reeling after getting demolished in game 2. the 76ers tried some personnel changes which did not work and now head coach Brett Brown is searching for answers.
Philly has ben a mess all season. It’s obvious even when healthy that this is a mismatched group of talent. Joel Embiid has done everything he can through two games but the 76ers supporting cast without the injured Ben Simmons has come up way short.
PREDICTION
The Celtics are playing well on both end of the floor. The 76ers played their best basketball for a quarter in game 2 and still only led by 6 and were then run off the floor over the final 3 frames. Philadelphia has no answers for Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown or Kemba Walker. Embiid and others body language indicated this is a team who knows their limitations and may already be dreaming of life back outside the bubble.
Expect Boston to win this one going away and put the 76ers on the precipice of elimination.
Celtics 122, 76ers 104
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