Boston Celtics vs Philadelphia 76ers 5/11/2023 Previews, Predictions and Picks
East Semifinals – Game 6, PHI leads series 3-2
The Boston Celtics are facing a tough challenge after losing to the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 4 and Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. In Game 4, the Celtics were one missed shot away from winning and advancing to the Conference Finals, but unfortunately for them, James Harden made the clutch shot for the 76ers. The Celtics were unable to bounce back in Game 5, and now they find themselves in a must-win situation in Game 6.
Coach Brad Stevens has admitted to making a mistake in Game 4, but the Celtics cannot dwell on the past and must focus on the task at hand. They will need to come together as a team and deliver a solid performance on the road in order to keep their season alive. The Celtics have had their ups and downs this season, and they will need to find their groove quickly if they want to stay in the playoffs.
- The total went OVER in 5 of Boston’s last 5 games on the road.
- Boston is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games on the road against Philadelphia.
- The total went OVER in 9 of Boston’s last 12 games with a team in the East.
Boston Celtics vs Philadelphia 76ers 5/11/2023 Previews, Predictions and Picks
Since James Harden’s game-winning shot in overtime of Game 4, the Philadelphia 76ers have been playing at a high level, leading to a convincing road win in Game 5. While Joel Embiid’s impressive 33-point performance stole the show, the contributions of Tyrese Maxey with 30 points and Tobias Harris with 16 points were the key factors that enabled the Sixers offense to flourish and forced Harden into a playmaker role. With multiple scoring options, Philly becomes a tough opponent that’s hard to beat in a series. Their win in Game 1 was also similar with Maxey scoring 26 points, but this time, having all three of their top scorers in sync makes the Sixers an unstoppable force.
Now, as slight home underdogs, it’s up to the Sixers to close out the series at home. They can’t afford to waste this opportunity, especially since winning three road games, all as +7 underdogs or greater, may prove to be too challenging. The Celtics are struggling right now with their coach questioning himself in public, and a home loss in Game 5 only adds to their troubles. The time is right for the Sixers to seize the moment. They have a chance to counter any big performances from Tatum or Brown with their own star players, and rely on their secondary scorers, Harris and Maxey, to step up again. While hitting shots may not always carry over from game to game, home-court advantage tends to boost the supporting cast’s confidence and lift up their superstars. The Sixers need to recognize the opportunity that lies ahead of them in Game 6.
- The Philadelphia 76ers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games at home against Boston.
- Philadelphia is 8-2 SU in their last 10 games with a team in the Eastern Conference.
- The 76ers are 7-2-1 ATS in their last 10 games with an opponent in the Atlantic Division.
Boston Celtics vs Philadelphia 76ers. The NBA Pick is the Philadelphia 76ers. Throughout the 4th quarter of Game 5, whenever the Celtics tried to make a late rally, the Philadelphia 76ers quickly shut them down and kept a comfortable lead. Doing this against the defending conference champions in a pivotal Game 5, on their home court where Boston was
favored to win by 7+, and ending a streak of 11 straight Game 5 road losses for the organization, is bound to boost the Sixers’ confidence levels significantly. Furthermore, the Sixers have a strong record of 5-2 ATS as a home underdog this year, with a 4-3 SU record in those games. This indicates that they have played well as the underdogs and have a good chance of winning. As for the Celtics, I am inclined to go with the home team as I don’t think they are in the right mental state as a team to rely on players like Brogdon, White, or Horford to contribute enough offensively in a high-pressure, hostile game like this. It’s hard to trust a team that’s giving points on the road in such a situation. Prediction: Philadelphia will win predicted to a score of 106-103.
Time: 7:30 PM ET
Location: Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA
Date: Thursday, May 11, 2023
TV: ESPN
NBA Odds: Philadelphia 76ers +2.5
NBA Totals: 208.5
