COVID has done a number on the NBA schedule with the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers among the teams hindered most by the virus and the NBA’s safety protocols. The teams are scheduled to meet on Wednesday as long as things work out in a positive way. Philly’s game with OKC on Sunday was postponed after the Sixers came up short of having the required minimum number of players available. The Celtics were wishing that was the case for them after they got whacked by Knicks. We hope to see all key players on the floor in this battle of Eastern Conference heavyweights.
The contest between the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers takes place at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 20, 2021, from Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia and will air live on ESPN. BookMaker.eu will have odds for every game on the Wednesday NBA schedule.
NBA Opening Lines at BookMaker.eu
Boston Celtics (Check Back Later)
Philadelphia 76ers (Check Back Later)
Over/Under (Check Back Later)
Odds Analysis
Navigating around the virus and the league’s health and safety protocols is as important as game planning for your next opponent. Despite having games postponed and missing players who were sequestered, both clubs have done remarkably well. COVID shut down a week’s worth of Boston games interrupting a four-game winning streak. The Celtics emerged to extend the streak to five by trampling the Magic only to have the streak end with a 30-point loss to the Knicks. The Celtics closed the week a half-game behind Milwaukee for the top spot in the East at 8-4. Their four-game ATS winning streak also ended dropping Boston to 7-5 ATS for the season. The Sixers were able to avoid a postponement until Sunday when their scheduled matchup with OKC was shelved. Between the virus and injuries the Sixers haven’t had a full roster in several weeks. They suffered a 106-104 setback on Saturday in Memphis ending a two-game winning streak. Philly is 9-5 SU and 7-7 ATS after failing to cover in five of their last seven games.
Boston Celtics
While we continue to mention players not suiting up because of COVID and the league’s safety protocols, the Celtics actually got some good news. All-Star Kemba Walker made his season debut on Sunday against the Knicks after missing the first 11 games. Making adjustments for players missing games also holds true when players return. Brad Stevens knew this day was coming and the Celtics will be better with Walker in the lineup, but it sure didn’t show on Sunday.
Walker played only 20 minutes as he works his way back from a knee injury. And the rust was evident. He was just 3 of 13 shooting overall and 1 of 8 from three-point range for nine points and he committed five turnovers in the 105-75 loss. The Cs were also without Jayson Tatum, who remains in quarantine due to COVID. The Celtics suffered their worst loss of the season scoring their fewest points in a game. “I don’t believe that’s who this team is. We had a clunker. You try to have as few of those as you can. We just looked like we were in mud,” Stevens said.
Philadelphia 76ers
Between COVID, safety protocols and injuries, the Sixers have been trying to stay afloat for the last few weeks. They managed to play all their scheduled games until Sunday’s contest at OKC was postponed. Ben Simmons is back on the floor looking like Ben Simmons. He just missed a triple-double with 11 points, 16 rebounds and nine assists against Memphis, but the Sixers played “a very undisciplined, sloppy basketball game,” according to Doc Rivers. It was another game where the Sixers played without one of their starters as Joel Embiid didn’t play due to knee pain.
“At the end of the day we do need each other. When we are together, the five starters, we complement each other,” Tobias Harris said. The Sixers have received big games from unexpected sources. Tyrese Maxey scored 39 points against Denver on Jan. 9 when only eight players were available. Shake Milton led the club with 31 points in a win over Miami and had 28 points against Memphis. While it’s hard to swallow now, getting those guys valuable minutes and having them perform will only help down the road when the lineup gets healthier.
NBA Odds Pick
Betting the NBA during the pandemic requires a lot of patience with lineups changing daily. Walker’s return is good news for the Celtics, who need the scoring pop with Tatum on the shelf. And it looks like Philly will be without Embiid as he nurses a sore knee. I’m not going to read too much into Boston’s loss to the Knicks instead trusting that the team plays a better game. That’s why I’m backing the visitors in this one.
NBA Odds Prediction: Celtics 107, Sixers 102
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