Things are all knotted up between the Boston Celtics and 76ers in the Eastern Conference semifinals’ No. 2-No. 3 matchup heading into Game 5, meaning someone has to take control of things on May 9.
This series just saw a spectacular overtime ending in Game 4 in which James Harden ripped the hearts out of Celtics fans everywhere with a go-ahead and ultimately game-winning 3-pointer with 15 seconds left to take the deciding 116-115 advantage.
With the series reaching its deep stages and the east’s top two remaining seeds looking to take pole position in the conference, which one of these Atlantic Division rivals will swing the tide back, or further, in their favor?
Philadelphia 76ers: 3rd (ORtg), 8th (DRtg), 27th (Pace), 3rd (NRtg)
Boston Celtics: 2nd (ORtg), 2nd (DRtg), 20th (Pace), 1st (NRtg)
Boston Celtics Projected Starting Lineup
PG –Marcus Smart, SG – Derrick White, SF – Jaylen Brown, PF – Jayson Tatum, C – Al Horford
Philadelphia 76ers Projected Starting Lineup
PG – James Harden, SG – Tyrese Maxey, SF – Tobias Harris, PF – P.J. Tucker, C – Joel Embiid
Boston Celtics vs Philadelphia 76ers Injury Report
Celtics PF Danilo Gallinari (ACL) – Out
76ers C Joel Embiid (Grade 1 LCL sprain) – Questionable
Boston Celtics vs Philadelphia 76ers Prediction
Boston fought valiantly to stick around in Game 4, but they made key mistakes down the stretch that ultimately swung the game in Philadelphia’s direction. With the action headed back to the TD Garden, the oddsmakers feel a big swing in favor of the Celtics.
It’s hard not to see it that way as well. Boston won both Game 2 and Game 3 by double-digits, and it’d be shocking to see the Sixers hand the Celtics their first losing streak of the postseason. Lay the chalk with the Cs in what should be a Game 5 bounceback.
Celtics 115 76ers 99