We now understand better why Brad Stevens asked to be kicked upstairs to become President of Basketball Operations for the Boston Celtics. Cause by the Celtics not having a roster built for a serious NBA Playoff run. New head coach Ime Udoka is a career NBA assistant after playing in the Association from 2003 through 2011 as a journeyman listed at the bottom of the roster. We are yet to know whether Udoka is up to running an NBA bench, but we know that he is outmanned in almost every matchup. Philadelphia 76ers head coach Doc Rivers is a proven NBA leader and NBA Champion. But the 76ers are yet to recover from last year’s playoff flameout and the current holdout of Ben Simmons.
The Philadelphia 76ers will host the Boston Celtics at Wells Fargo Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This game will take place on Friday, January 14, 2022, at 7 p.m. ET with television coverage on NBA League Pass.
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Odds Analysis
The Celtics and 76ers are legacy franchises with generational fan bases. But as popular as the Celtics are, they don’t have much to sell casual gamblers. Boston lacks identity and is struggling to get over the .500 mark. Meanwhile, the 76ers are a bona fide playoff team, but casuals aren’t thrilled about the Simmons holdout and the lack of prospects.
Boston Celtics
Boston is in their worst stretch against the board of the season. The Celtics have failed to get the money in six of their most recent eight games. Boston has gone under the total in three of its last four outings. Boston is 20-21 straight up, 20-20-1 against the spread, and 17-23 under the total. Boston ranks 19th in the NBA for scoring offense and 10th for points allowed.
Boston is 44% against the spread in away games. As an underdog, the Celtics are 50% vs. the line. And in Atlantic Division games, Boston is 29% on the board. Boston is 52% under the total in away games. As an underdog, the Celtics are 57% over the total. And in Atlantic Division matchups, Boston is 55% to the under.
Jayson Tatum leads Boston with 25.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. Jaylen Brown adds 24.2 points and 6.6 rebounds per game.
Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia is making bank lately with six payouts in their most recent seven games. Five of those seven games went over the total. As a result, the 76ers are 23-16 straight up, 19-19-1 against the spread, and 15-22 under the total. Philadelphia has NBA metrics of 20th for scoring offense and 8th for points allowed.
Joel Embiid continues to be one of the best Bigs in the Association. Embiid leads Philadelphia with 27 points and 10.6 rebounds per game.
Philadelphia is 53% against the spread at home. As a favorite, the 76ers are 54% vs. the odds. And in Atlantic Division games, Philadelphia is 47% on the board. In home games, the 76ers are 51% under the total. While as chalk, the 76ers are 52% to the under. And against Atlantic Division rivals, Philadelphia is 67% under the total.
Boston vs. Philadelphia Prediction
Philadelphia has covered six consecutive games against Boston. Five of the last seven meetings between the 76ers and Celtics have gone under the total. Boston came away with empty pockets in their previous three games at Philadelphia. Three of the last four games between the Celtics and 76ers at Wells Fargo Arena went under the total.
In this situation, the 76ers have more going for them than the Celtics. Philadelphia also brings the best player on the court with Joel Embiid.
BookMaker Pick: Philadelphia 76ers
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