The Boston Celtics will look to bounce back from a loss when they host the young, but upcoming Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday night. This is another team with whom the Celtics traded this summer in the attempt to assemble this squad, but there’ll be no chance for the Boston fans to see what they’ve passed on as no. 1 pick Fultz doesn’t play for the Sixers, supposedly for an injury recovery. Still, the future of the NBA will gather at one place, in the promise of a great game in TD Garden.
76ers at Celtics
Spread: Boston Celtics -8 (-110) at BetDSI Sportsbook
Total: N/A
The Sixers suffer a blowout loss to the Cavaliers at home
Despite being given equal odds to win the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Sixers barely showed teeth in a 91-113 loss, trailed almost wire-to-wire and losing all four quarters.
Their shots wouldn’t fall, and their entire game collapsed on lack of three-point helpers. Covington, Saric, and Reddick combined to shoot 1-of-16 from beyond the arc, a part of a 3-of-28 perimeter shooting night for the Sixers, repeatedly clanking one shot after another. With each miss, the frustration grew. The Sixers missed at such a high rate that even 22 offensive rebounds weren’t of much use. Embiid scored 30 points, trying to shoulder the burden, but it wasn’t enough as he had very little help. Simmons returned to the lineup and played fairly well with 10 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 steals before aggravating ankle injury. Redick, Luwawu-Cabarot and McConnell were also in double figures, but neither scored more than 12. The Sixers ended up with only 15 assists, a number miraculous considering how poorly they shot. On the other side, the Cavaliers got a big lift from their second unit. Wade, Frye, Korver, and Green built the lead for the Cavaliers, and James provided the usual brilliance no matter who he played with (or against).
Simmons was forced from the previous game due to a right ankle sprain and his status against the Wizards on Wednesday is in question. Considered the Sixers ultra-cautious approach to all injuries, he could sit one, or both games of this tough back-to-back. Stauskas and Fultz remain sidelined, but neither is a part of the main rotation anyways.
Place: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
Date/Time: Thursday, November 30th, 2017. 7:30 PM ET
TV Coverage: NBATV
Celtics falter on defense, lose to the Pistons
I’ll be first to admit that I didn’t see this coming. The Celtics lost to the Detroit Pistons 108-118 at home on Monday night in the first visit from Avery Bradley, the beloved guard whom they’ve traded to make room for the summer acquisitions. It’s not uncommon for an ex-player putting a great game against the former team, and the Motown boys have won more than a fair share of their games, but the Celtics to be completely outplayed wasn’t something even they had expected.
Avery Bradley’s homecoming received top billing going into Monday night. But it was Andre Drummond who demanded the top of the marquee. The center was a dominant force with 26 points, 22 rebounds, six assists and four steals to lead the Detroit Pistons, and his inside presence threw Boston off their defense. Detroit’s half-court execution was pinpoint sharp, but lack of attention to defensive details was a contributing factor in the result. The Celtics follow their usual game plan when it came to defending pick and rolls, but that was exactly where the Pistons were ready to strike them the hardest. Jackson isn’t exactly elite with his passing od driving ability, but because the Celtics didn’t really commit to stopping him or Drummond, he was determined to make a lob at the rim or drive on the backpedaling big. When the defense collapsed to protect the space, the Pistons found shooters all around the perimeter. Nothing the Celtics have done would disturb this simple offense. Boston shot 52 percent from the field, so the game wasn’t lost on offense, although other teams will likely show short videos on how the Pistons forced the ball away from Kyrie Irving hands. Boston missed 9 FTs, turned the ball over 17 times, and looked nothing like the team that has ranked as the top defensive team by a mile.
Cunningham left the last game with a left knee injury and it is unclear if he will play against the Timberwolves on Wednesday. Cunningham started at small forward in the first 16 games of the season, but his struggles from the perimeter (27.1 percent on 3-pointers) forced the lineup change, so for the last four games, the Pelicans actually go with three guards, Moore being placed onto the small forward position. Allen returned from his own knee troubles and will compete in limited minutes.
Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics Game Trends & Prediction
Prior to facing the Washington Wizards tonight, the Sixers were 14-5 against the spread. The loss to the Cavs broke an excellent six-game win streak for their backers. They have also played more overs, going 11-8 for the season, and yet three of their last 4 games failed to reach the set number. The overs are more prevalent on the road, where the Sixers games end up going over the set line in 70 percent of the cases.
As a growing trend, the Celtics have played the sixth consecutive over game, so there’s two clear sides the books will look to fade with their offer – the Celtics, who are 17-4-1 despite the last game loss, and the overs. Boston started the season accumulating unders, and the market adjusted by lowering the line below 200, which led to the current streak. They are 11-11 on the total points market now, so the books will consider the streak more.
Admi-Rank: As much as the Sixers recent surge was great, they’ve really shown that they can’t compete with the top Eastern teams just yet, prompting their rating to drop a little. The Celtics also slid a bit with the loss, but are still a tier in front of their next opponent.
The Celtics have already beaten the Sixers this season, 102-92 in Philly, and this was before we knew how good either side can be. Even with a few recent lapses, the Celtics proved to be much more consistent than their next opponent. On top of the home court, more rest and superior talent, the Celtics could also have an advantage of not facing the best 76ers team. Embiid is always a candidate to sit out on the second night of a back-to-back, and Simmons ankle may force him out too. Without those two, the Sixers are nowhere near the required standard to beat the home side.
The bookies are waiting to open market on this game, as too many potentially negative factors can happen between now and the game. Simmons is the primary reason, and the back-to-back set another, so we’ll likely have the odds on the game day. Here’s what you should play with (for both cases, I’m counting on Embiid playing, but please confirm this before you strike):
(Simmons playing) – Boston -8 and over/under 209.5 points
(Simmons out) – Boston -9 and over/under 207.5 points
My Pick: (odds are yet to be released)
Total: (odds are yet to be released)
