In the United States or overseas, the Boston Celtics have had the Philadelphia 76ers’ number this season. They will aim to sweep the four-game series between the teams this week. Boston has won each game by double digits, including a matchup last week between the teams in London, England.
The 76ers had a 22-point lead in that one but blew it. Boston has the top seed in the Eastern Conference and could be in line to play Philadelphia in the first round if the 76ers can surpass one team and make it into the playoffs.
Philly would love to steal this game on the road but it will be a tough task. Chances are Boston wins a fourth straight game over the 76ers to continue their roll. The Celtics have been one of the best teams in the NBA all season and will aim to impress again in this one.
This war on the floor will go down Thursday, January 18, 2018, at 7 p.m. ET at TD Garden. The game will be televised live on TNT.
We'll have NBA odds at BookMaker.eu available for this and every game on the NBA Thursday schedule.
Odds Analysis
The 76ers are 20-20 straight up and 22-17-1 against the spread. Philadelphia is 11-8-1 against the spread on the road this season. The 76ers are 10-7-1 against the spread as the underdog this year.
The Celtics are 34-10 straight up and 27-15-2 against the spread. Boston has gone 13-8-2 against the spread as the home team. It is 19-14-2 attempting to cover as the favorite.
Injury Report
Celtics rookie Jayson Tatum tweaked his knee in London last week when these teams faced off. The injury got worse on the flight back to America but overall it is a minor ailment and is not expected to force him out of this game.
If Tatum has a setback that could be an important development, but he should play. The rookie forward has put together an impressive season. He is averaging 13.9 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, immediately becoming a key cog on one of the best teams in the NBA.
The Celtics lost Gordon Hayward at the very beginning of the season but the team has been able to remain successful because the others have stepped up. Tatum has been one of the main players picking up that slack. He had 16 points in the London game against Philly and is hoping to have a big impact once again.
The Celtics traded down from No. 1 to No. 3 in the draft and chose Tatum. Philadelphia moved up to take Markelle Fultz but he is expected to miss this game with a bothersome shoulder injury. The 76ers are hoping Fultz can team with Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid to push the team into contention. The other two are healthy but Fultz is still working his way back.
Player To Watch
Embiid —The 76ers have taken a big step forward this season in large part because their star center has stayed healthy. Embiid is averaging 23.5 points, 10.8 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per contest.
He has missed a few games this season but it hasn’t been due to anything serious and he is playing at a high level. Talent has never been a question, but Embiid has dealt with a variety of injuries during his young career.
If the 76ers can figure out a way to stay in the mix in this game, it will likely be because Embiid has a big showing down low. It is the one are in which Philadelphia has the advantage.
Free NBA ATS Picks
The Celtics have proven themselves as a contender and at this point are looking like the team to beat in the East, ahead of even the Cavs. Philly is a tough foe with some talent, but it won’t be easy to win on the road against such a talented opponent.
Take Boston to win this game. Check out the spread because the 76ers may be able to cover.
NBA Odds: Celtics 109 , 76ers 102
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