Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers look to rebound tonight after a sloppy effort in Game 1.
So much for being healthy. The Boston Celtics were victorious in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference quarter-final series with Philadelphia, but they lost a key member of their starting five as they get set to face the 76ers Wednesday night in Game 2. Small forward Gordon Hayward will miss the next four weeks with an ankle sprain he suffered in the series-opening 109-101 win – and his absence has taken a bite out of Boston’s advantage against the spread (ATS).
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The Celtics successfully covered – though not by much – as a 6.5-point favorite in Game 1, but the added degree of difficulty following Hayward’s severe ankle injury has knocked the Game 2 line down a couple of points. But Boston hasn’t sweat that much as a playoff favorite, going a red-hot 35-16-1 ATS the last 52 times it has been in that situation. The 76ers, meanwhile, are just 5-13 ATS in their last 18 games played on one day of rest.
About 55 percent of Sports Interaction bettors are putting their faith in the Celtics to cover yet again Wednesday night, while a much larger contingent – 84 percent – are taking the over on the total of 216. Game 1 came in well under the Vegas total and produced the second-fewest points of any Game 1 – but the total will almost certainly come in higher Wednesday if these teams shoot better than the combined 19-for-58 mark they posted from beyond the arc Monday.
Philadelphia 76ers
The 76ers can certainly look at their 3-point shooting as one of the reasons for the Game 1 loss, but it wouldn’t hurt if they took much better care of the basketball Wednesday. Philadelphia committed 18 turnovers leading to 21 Boston points in the series opener, while generating just seven points off seven Boston turnovers themselves. Joel Embiid was the worst culprit, committing five turnovers while dishing out only one assist on the night.
Boston Celtics
If there’s one positive the Celtics can glean from Monday’s key injury, it’s that they’ve become quite used to playing without Hayward, who averaged 17.5 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.1 assists for the season but appeared in just 52 games. And regardless of how Boston handles its bench assignments in Game 2, there is one certainty: Marcus Smart (12.9 ppg, 4.9 apg, 3.8 rpg) should seamlessly slide into Hayward’s spot in the starting lineup.
Who Will Win 76ers vs. Celtics?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 18 Aug 2:18pm | PHI | -5.5 -110 | O +215 -110 |
| Closing 19 Aug 11:27am | PHI | -4.5 -110 | O +215 -110 |
Injuries
Tobias Harris (SF)
Alec Burks (SG)
Glenn Robinson III (SF)
Tobias Harris (SF)
Al Horford (C)
Josh Richardson (SG)
Furkan Korkmaz (SG)
Kyle O'Quinn (C)
Raul Neto (PG)
Glenn Robinson III (SF)
Romeo Langford (SG)
Jaylen Brown (SG)
Vincent Poirier (C)
Robert Williams III (C)
Tremont Waters (PG)
Javonte Green (SG)
Jaylen Brown (SG)
Gordon Hayward (SF)
Vincent Poirier (C)
Romeo Langford (SG)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tobias Harris (SF) | day-to-day | Head - 23 / 08 / 20 | 0-1 | 0-1 | + - |
|
Harris left Sunday's game due to a head injury, and it is unclear if he will return. |
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| Alec Burks (SG) | Ques Fri | Foot - 12 / 08 / 20 | 2-4 | 3-3 | + - |
|
Burks was held out of the previous game due to left foot soreness, and it has yet to be established if he will take the court versus the Rockets on Frdiay. |
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| Glenn Robinson III (SF) | Early Sept | Oblique - 12 / 08 / 20 | 2-4 | 3-3 | + - |
|
Robinson III is battling an oblique muscle strain, and he is likely to be out until at least the beginning of September. |
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| Tobias Harris (SF) | Prob Wed | Ankle - 10 / 08 / 20 | 2-5 | 4-3 | + - |
|
Harris sat out the last game due to a sore right ankle, but it is anticipated that he will line up against the Raptors on Wednesday. |
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| Al Horford (C) | Prob Wed | Knee - 10 / 08 / 20 | 2-5 | 4-3 | + - |
|
Horford missed the previous game with a sore left knee, but it is likely that he will be available Wednesday versus the Raptors. |
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| Josh Richardson (SG) | Out Tues | Rest - 10 / 08 / 20 | 2-5 | 4-3 | + - |
|
Richardson will not suit up Tuesday against the Suns due to a day of rest. |
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| Furkan Korkmaz (SG) | Ques Sun | Finger - 08 / 08 / 20 | 3-5 | 4-4 | + - |
|
Korkmaz is bothered by a left finger sprain, and his status for Sunday's matchup with the Trail Blazers in unknown. |
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| Kyle O'Quinn (C) | Prob Wed | Personal - 03 / 08 / 20 | 3-8 | 6-5 | + - |
|
O'Quinn was held out of the last game after missing a COVID-19 test. It is not expected to affect his status for Wednesday's matchup with the Wizards. |
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| Raul Neto (PG) | Prob Sat | Back - 26 / 07 / 20 | 3-8 | 6-5 | + - |
|
Neto is experiencing tightness in his lower back, but it is unlikely to impede his status for Saturday's tilt versus the Pacers. |
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| Glenn Robinson III (SF) | Prob Sun | Hip - 26 / 07 / 20 | 3-8 | 6-5 | + - |
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Robinson III has missed the previous four games due to a left hip pointer, but he is expected to return to action Sunday against the Trail Blazers. |
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| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Romeo Langford (SG) | out for season | Wrist - 17 / 09 / 20 | 2-3 | 4-1 | + - |
|
Langford will miss the remainder of the season after having surgery to fix the scapholunate ligament in his right wrist. |
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| Jaylen Brown (SG) | Prob Tues | Groin - 12 / 09 / 20 | 3-4 | 5-2 | + - |
|
Brown is hampered by a groin injury, but he is expected to be active for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference final versus the Heat. |
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| Vincent Poirier (C) | Prob Tues | Personal - 03 / 09 / 20 | 6-5 | 5-6 | + - |
|
Poirier is away from the team for the birth of his child. He is likely to return against the Heat in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference second round. |
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| Robert Williams III (C) | Prob Thurs | Tailbone - 03 / 09 / 20 | 6-5 | 5-6 | + - |
|
Williams III is anticipated to take on the Raptors in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference second round despite injuring his tailbone. |
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| Tremont Waters (PG) | Prob Mon | Knee - 26 / 08 / 20 | 7-6 | 5-8 | + - |
|
Waters has a left knee sprain, but he is likely to play in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference second round versus the Raptors. |
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| Javonte Green (SG) | Prob Sun | Knee - 20 / 08 / 20 | 9-6 | 6-9 | + - |
|
Green is recuperating from surgery to fix a small tear to the meniscus in his right knee, but he is likely to be ready for Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals versus the Heat. |
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| Jaylen Brown (SG) | Prob Wed | Thigh - 18 / 08 / 20 | 10-6 | 6-10 | + - |
|
Brown is expected to suit up against the 76ers in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round despite a right thigh contusion. |
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| Gordon Hayward (SF) | Ques Sat | Ankle - 17 / 08 / 20 | 10-7 | 6-11 | + - |
|
Hayward is sidelined with a Grade 3 right ankle sprain, and it is unclear if he will return to action against the Heat in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals. |
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| Vincent Poirier (C) | Prob Wed | Groin - 16 / 08 / 20 | 10-7 | 6-11 | + - |
|
Porier is battling a left groin strain, but he is likely to play in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the 76ers. |
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| Romeo Langford (SG) | Prob Mon | Wrist - 13 / 08 / 20 | 11-7 | 6-12 | + - |
|
Langford is dealing with a sprained right wrist, but it is anticipated that he will take the court in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the 76ers. |
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-
PHILADELPHIA 76ERS
101 -
BOSTON CELTICS
104
Score
Prediction
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 18 Aug 2:18pm PHI -5.5 -110 O +215 -110 Closing 19 Aug 11:27am PHI -4.5 -110 O +215 -110 -
Injuries
Tobias Harris (SF)
day-to-day Head - 23 / 08 / 20Alec Burks (SG)
Ques Fri Foot - 12 / 08 / 20Glenn Robinson III (SF)
Early Sept Oblique - 12 / 08 / 20Tobias Harris (SF)
Prob Wed Ankle - 10 / 08 / 20Al Horford (C)
Prob Wed Knee - 10 / 08 / 20Josh Richardson (SG)
Out Tues Rest - 10 / 08 / 20Furkan Korkmaz (SG)
Ques Sun Finger - 08 / 08 / 20Kyle O'Quinn (C)
Prob Wed Personal - 03 / 08 / 20Raul Neto (PG)
Prob Sat Back - 26 / 07 / 20Glenn Robinson III (SF)
Prob Sun Hip - 26 / 07 / 20Romeo Langford (SG)
out for season Wrist - 17 / 09 / 20Jaylen Brown (SG)
Prob Tues Groin - 12 / 09 / 20Vincent Poirier (C)
Prob Tues Personal - 03 / 09 / 20Robert Williams III (C)
Prob Thurs Tailbone - 03 / 09 / 20Tremont Waters (PG)
Prob Mon Knee - 26 / 08 / 20Javonte Green (SG)
Prob Sun Knee - 20 / 08 / 20Jaylen Brown (SG)
Prob Wed Thigh - 18 / 08 / 20Gordon Hayward (SF)
Ques Sat Ankle - 17 / 08 / 20Vincent Poirier (C)
Prob Wed Groin - 16 / 08 / 20Romeo Langford (SG)
Prob Mon Wrist - 13 / 08 / 20Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Tobias Harris (SF) day-to-day Head - 23 / 08 / 20 0-1 0-1 + - Harris left Sunday's game due to a head injury, and it is unclear if he will return.
Alec Burks (SG) Ques Fri Foot - 12 / 08 / 20 2-4 3-3 + - Burks was held out of the previous game due to left foot soreness, and it has yet to be established if he will take the court versus the Rockets on Frdiay.
Glenn Robinson III (SF) Early Sept Oblique - 12 / 08 / 20 2-4 3-3 + - Robinson III is battling an oblique muscle strain, and he is likely to be out until at least the beginning of September.
Tobias Harris (SF) Prob Wed Ankle - 10 / 08 / 20 2-5 4-3 + - Harris sat out the last game due to a sore right ankle, but it is anticipated that he will line up against the Raptors on Wednesday.
Al Horford (C) Prob Wed Knee - 10 / 08 / 20 2-5 4-3 + - Horford missed the previous game with a sore left knee, but it is likely that he will be available Wednesday versus the Raptors.
Josh Richardson (SG) Out Tues Rest - 10 / 08 / 20 2-5 4-3 + - Richardson will not suit up Tuesday against the Suns due to a day of rest.
Furkan Korkmaz (SG) Ques Sun Finger - 08 / 08 / 20 3-5 4-4 + - Korkmaz is bothered by a left finger sprain, and his status for Sunday's matchup with the Trail Blazers in unknown.
Kyle O'Quinn (C) Prob Wed Personal - 03 / 08 / 20 3-8 6-5 + - O'Quinn was held out of the last game after missing a COVID-19 test. It is not expected to affect his status for Wednesday's matchup with the Wizards.
Raul Neto (PG) Prob Sat Back - 26 / 07 / 20 3-8 6-5 + - Neto is experiencing tightness in his lower back, but it is unlikely to impede his status for Saturday's tilt versus the Pacers.
Glenn Robinson III (SF) Prob Sun Hip - 26 / 07 / 20 3-8 6-5 + - Robinson III has missed the previous four games due to a left hip pointer, but he is expected to return to action Sunday against the Trail Blazers.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Romeo Langford (SG) out for season Wrist - 17 / 09 / 20 2-3 4-1 + - Langford will miss the remainder of the season after having surgery to fix the scapholunate ligament in his right wrist.
Jaylen Brown (SG) Prob Tues Groin - 12 / 09 / 20 3-4 5-2 + - Brown is hampered by a groin injury, but he is expected to be active for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference final versus the Heat.
Vincent Poirier (C) Prob Tues Personal - 03 / 09 / 20 6-5 5-6 + - Poirier is away from the team for the birth of his child. He is likely to return against the Heat in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference second round.
Robert Williams III (C) Prob Thurs Tailbone - 03 / 09 / 20 6-5 5-6 + - Williams III is anticipated to take on the Raptors in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference second round despite injuring his tailbone.
Tremont Waters (PG) Prob Mon Knee - 26 / 08 / 20 7-6 5-8 + - Waters has a left knee sprain, but he is likely to play in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference second round versus the Raptors.
Javonte Green (SG) Prob Sun Knee - 20 / 08 / 20 9-6 6-9 + - Green is recuperating from surgery to fix a small tear to the meniscus in his right knee, but he is likely to be ready for Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals versus the Heat.
Jaylen Brown (SG) Prob Wed Thigh - 18 / 08 / 20 10-6 6-10 + - Brown is expected to suit up against the 76ers in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round despite a right thigh contusion.
Gordon Hayward (SF) Ques Sat Ankle - 17 / 08 / 20 10-7 6-11 + - Hayward is sidelined with a Grade 3 right ankle sprain, and it is unclear if he will return to action against the Heat in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals.
Vincent Poirier (C) Prob Wed Groin - 16 / 08 / 20 10-7 6-11 + - Porier is battling a left groin strain, but he is likely to play in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the 76ers.
Romeo Langford (SG) Prob Mon Wrist - 13 / 08 / 20 11-7 6-12 + - Langford is dealing with a sprained right wrist, but it is anticipated that he will take the court in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the 76ers.