Well this could be it. The end of the process or beginning of a new one. The Boston Celtics with a chance to close out the Philadelphia 76ers in what has been among the more disappointing seasons in their franchise’s history.
The Celtics are up 3-0 on Philly with a chance to sweep the first round series later today. Tip-off from HP Field House in Orlando, is set for 1:00 p.m. ET.
The Celtics are 7 1/2 point favorites heading into Game 4 according to the online sportsbook Betonline.ag. That’s the largest spread of the entire series. Even bigger than game 1 when the Celtics still had a healthy Gordon Hayward.
The over under is down from Game 3 to 214. The Celtics are a whopping -350 on the money line.
- Celtics vs. Sixers spread: Celtics -7.5
- Celtics vs. Sixers over-under: 214 points
- Celtics vs. Sixers money line: 76ers +280, Celtics -350.
THE SKINNY
The Celtics squeaked out a game 3 victory and probably took what little starch was left out of the 76ers. Philly shot terribly in but was kept afloat by a boatload of offensive rebounds (20 ) and trips to the free throw line (34.) Don’t expect the 76ers to shoot that poorly again on Sunday but also it would be unlikely for Jayson Tatum to play as poorly as he did for the Celtics either. One also has to wonder how much fight is left down 3-0, without Ben Simmons and the prospect of resuming their lives outside of the bubble.
PREDICTION
The 76ers will go as far as Joel Embiid will carry them but he’s already done all he can in games 1-3 with nary a victory to show for it.
After a clunker of an offensive performance in Game 3, expect Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum go come out firing. Don’t be shocked if this one gets away from the 76ers early and if it does, that’s all she wrote.
Celtics 117, 76ers 94
