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Celtics vs. 76ers series props
Series Total Length over 5.5 games (-130)
This might be intriguing for those who believe the Celtics will replicate their previous success. Boston won the previous two series in four and five games, respectively, but this appears to be a different 76ers team. Joel Embiid’s knee sprain is a cause for concern but the big man is expected to be ready for Game 1. If he stays healthy and gets back to 100%, it’s hard to see this series ending in less than six games.
Series Spread: 76ers +1.5 games (+110)
This is worth playing if Embiid shows he’s healthy. The 76ers could’ve easily let the Nets steal a few games and extend that first-round series, but they wrapped things up quickly. That’s a sign this team could be different. If Philadelphia steals a game on the road, this could be its series to lose. You can also take the 76ers at +2.5 games for -170, but there’s more value here. If this series goes the distance, this prop pays off even if the 76ers lose a potential Game 7.
Celtics to win Game 1/Celtics to win the series (-165)
After nearly being forced to play Game 7 in the first round, the Celtics should come out with more focus in Game 1 at home in this series. With Embiid’s health in question, it’s safe to back Boston to take the first contest. The Celtics also have homecourt advantage here, so picking them to win the series overall is the smarter play. Bettors are giving up some value here but it’s better than taking the Celtics to win the series overall.
| Monday, May 01, 2023 - NBA SERIES Basketball Game | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 07:30 PM | 76ERS Series Prices | +275 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Celtics Series Prices | -330 |
Phoenix at Denver
Saturday, April 29, 2023 08:30 PM (ET)
This was a matchup everyone anticipated happening when Kevin Durant joined the Phoenix Suns in February.
A high-profile series between reigning two-time MVP Nikola Jokic and Durant, arguably the best scoring forward in NBA history, in the second round of the playoffs.
Two franchises still searching for their first championship are playing what some have called the de facto Western Conference finals. The No. 1 seed Nuggets and the fourth-seeded Suns will play a conference semifinal series starting with Game 1 tipping off Saturday night in Denver.
"We like our chances," Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon said. "I feel like we've continued to take care of ourselves on and off the floor to give ourselves an opportunity to be healthy and get a chance to get our legs back against Phoenix."
Two years ago, Gordon was traded to Denver before the deadline, and the organization hoped he would be the final piece of a title team. But Jamal Murray tore his left ACL before the playoffs, and while the Nuggets got out of the first round, they were swept by the Suns in the second round.
Murray is not only back, but he also looks like he has recaptured his 2020 bubble form when he led Denver to the Western Conference finals against the Los Angeles Lakers.
He came alive in the first round against Minnesota in Denver's five-game series win, leading the Nuggets with 27.2 points per game and reigniting the two-man punch with Jokic, who averaged 26.2 points, 12.4 rebounds and 9.0 assists against the Timberwolves.
Phoenix will be a different challenge than Minnesota. While the Suns aren't as deep, they have Durant and Devin Booker, who both dominated the first-round series win over the Los Angeles Clippers. Booker averaged 37.2 points and 6.4 assists in the five-game series while Durant averaged 28.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 6.2 assists.
The teams split the four games in the regular season, with the home team winning each time. Denver's two wins came before Durant arrived and the Suns' victories came late in the year while the Nuggets sat most of their top players, including Jokic.
Phoenix wrapped up its series with the Clippers on Tuesday night and flew up to Colorado on Thursday to help adjust to the altitude change. The Suns practiced Thursday and Friday at Ball Arena to prepare for the first two games on the road.
"We as a staff were talking about options and right when the game was over, our guys were like wanting to get up here," Phoenix coach Monty Williams said. "I thought it was great to be able to get up here. It's almost like a mini training camp, if you will. It's just us talking, going over things that are necessary. Allowing them to get some good work in and go to the hotel and just have a great camaraderie and unity and all that stuff."
The Suns are favored to win the series and reach the NBA Finals, but that doesn't bother Denver.
"We know how talented (the Suns) are," coach Michael Malone said. "There's a reason they are the odds-on favorite to come out of the West right now. We don't take that personally."
Saturday, April 29, 2023 08:30 PM (ET)
This was a matchup everyone anticipated happening when Kevin Durant joined the Phoenix Suns in February.
A high-profile series between reigning two-time MVP Nikola Jokic and Durant, arguably the best scoring forward in NBA history, in the second round of the playoffs.
Two franchises still searching for their first championship are playing what some have called the de facto Western Conference finals. The No. 1 seed Nuggets and the fourth-seeded Suns will play a conference semifinal series starting with Game 1 tipping off Saturday night in Denver.
"We like our chances," Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon said. "I feel like we've continued to take care of ourselves on and off the floor to give ourselves an opportunity to be healthy and get a chance to get our legs back against Phoenix."
Two years ago, Gordon was traded to Denver before the deadline, and the organization hoped he would be the final piece of a title team. But Jamal Murray tore his left ACL before the playoffs, and while the Nuggets got out of the first round, they were swept by the Suns in the second round.
Murray is not only back, but he also looks like he has recaptured his 2020 bubble form when he led Denver to the Western Conference finals against the Los Angeles Lakers.
He came alive in the first round against Minnesota in Denver's five-game series win, leading the Nuggets with 27.2 points per game and reigniting the two-man punch with Jokic, who averaged 26.2 points, 12.4 rebounds and 9.0 assists against the Timberwolves.
Phoenix will be a different challenge than Minnesota. While the Suns aren't as deep, they have Durant and Devin Booker, who both dominated the first-round series win over the Los Angeles Clippers. Booker averaged 37.2 points and 6.4 assists in the five-game series while Durant averaged 28.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 6.2 assists.
The teams split the four games in the regular season, with the home team winning each time. Denver's two wins came before Durant arrived and the Suns' victories came late in the year while the Nuggets sat most of their top players, including Jokic.
Phoenix wrapped up its series with the Clippers on Tuesday night and flew up to Colorado on Thursday to help adjust to the altitude change. The Suns practiced Thursday and Friday at Ball Arena to prepare for the first two games on the road.
"We as a staff were talking about options and right when the game was over, our guys were like wanting to get up here," Phoenix coach Monty Williams said. "I thought it was great to be able to get up here. It's almost like a mini training camp, if you will. It's just us talking, going over things that are necessary. Allowing them to get some good work in and go to the hotel and just have a great camaraderie and unity and all that stuff."
The Suns are favored to win the series and reach the NBA Finals, but that doesn't bother Denver.
"We know how talented (the Suns) are," coach Michael Malone said. "There's a reason they are the odds-on favorite to come out of the West right now. We don't take that personally."
- Suns are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 Saturday games.
- Suns are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games after allowing more than 125 points in their previous game.
- Suns are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a ATS loss.
- Suns are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games after scoring more than 125 points in their previous game.
- Suns are 10-4-1 ATS in their last 15 games playing on 3 or more days rest.
- Suns are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up win.
- Suns are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 Conference Semifinals games.
- Suns are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600
- Nuggets are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games playing on 3 or more days rest.
- Nuggets are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 home games.
- Nuggets are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
- Nuggets are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games following a ATS loss.
- Nuggets are 9-4 ATS in their last 13 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
- Nuggets are 4-10 ATS in their last 14 Saturday games.
- Nuggets are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 Conference Semifinals games.
- Over is 9-1 in Suns last 10 games following a ATS loss.
- Over is 6-1-1 in Suns last 8 overall.
- Over is 6-1-1 in Suns last 8 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
- Over is 5-1-1 in Suns last 7 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
- Over is 4-1-1 in Suns last 6 games after allowing more than 125 points in their previous game.
- Over is 4-1 in Suns last 5 games following a straight up win.
- Under is 4-1 in Suns last 5 Conference Semifinals games.
- Over is 8-2-1 in Suns last 11 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
- Over is 8-2-1 in Suns last 11 road games.
- Over is 11-4-1 in Suns last 16 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
- Over is 18-7-2 in Suns last 27 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
- Over is 18-7-2 in Suns last 27 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
- Over is 10-4 in Suns last 14 vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
- Over is 29-14 in Suns last 43 games after scoring more than 125 points in their previous game
- Over is 3-0-1 in Nuggets last 4 overall.
- Over is 3-0-1 in Nuggets last 4 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
- Over is 3-0-1 in Nuggets last 4 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
- Over is 4-1-1 in Nuggets last 6 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
- Under is 8-2-1 in Nuggets last 11 games following a straight up win.
- Under is 4-1 in Nuggets last 5 Saturday games.
- Under is 8-2-2 in Nuggets last 12 Conference Semifinals games.
- Over is 4-1 in Nuggets last 5 vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
- Under is 9-3-1 in Nuggets last 13 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
- Over is 6-2 in Nuggets last 8 games playing on 3 or more days rest.
- Under is 6-2 in Nuggets last 8 home games.
- Under is 5-2 in Nuggets last 7 games following a ATS loss.
- Suns are 5-1 ATS in the last 6 meetings in Denver.
Doc Rivers: Joel Embiid likely doubtful for G1 vs. Celtics.
CAMDEN, N.J. -- Philadelphia 76ers coach Doc Rivers said Saturday afternoon that if he "was a betting man," superstar center Joel Embiid will be doubtful to play in "at least" Monday's Game 1 of the titanic Eastern Conference semifinal against the Boston Celtics."There is no latest," Rivers said, following Philadelphia's practice at the team's facility. "Obviously, the doctors looked at him, and he didn't do anything today.
I'll say this, but if I was a betting man, I would probably say doubtful for at least Game 1. But we'll see."
When asked what it will take to get Embiid, who is dealing with a sprained LCL in his right knee suffered in Game 3 of Philadelphia's first-round sweep of the Brooklyn Nets, back on the court, Rivers had a simple response.
"He has to get better," Rivers said with a wry laugh.
Rivers added that Embiid was able to do nothing in practice.
"Nothing yet," he said. "Just wasn't able to. And, obviously, we were hopeful for today."
Embiid's injury happened nine days ago, and when the media was let into practice Saturday afternoon, he -- along with P.J. Tucker and others -- was not on the court. Embiid sat out Game 4 against the Nets last week, meaning he will have an 11-day break between the last time he played and Game 1 of the East semifinals Monday night at Boston's TD Garden.
The update from Rivers, though, casts a pall over that game from Philadelphia's perspective. If the leading candidate to be named the NBA's Most Valuable Player is unable to play in Game 1, the 76ers will then shift their focus to him potentially returning Wednesday in Game 2.
In the meantime, the 76ers are preparing for multiple contingencies. If Embiid is unable to go in Game 1, reserve Paul Reed would likely step into the lineup in Embiid's place.
"I keep the same mental preparation and physical preparation as I would even if he was playing," Reed said. "I won't change up what I'm doing any differently. I keep the same mental focus."
Reed, an energetic, bouncy big, was impressive filling in for Embiid in Philadelphia's closeout win over the Nets in Brooklyn this past Saturday, putting up 10 points, 15 rebounds, 2 assists, a steal and a block in 32 minutes.
The third-year big man out of DePaul said that performance gave him confidence that, if Embiid is unable to play in Game 1, he'll be able to step in and produce for the 76ers once again.
"It does a lot for my confidence knowing I can step in and play valuable minutes for the team and give us a boost that we needed in order to close out that series," Reed said. "So now I feel I can go into the next series and give us another boost. If Joel is not playing, I'm confident I can come in and give us a lot of energy and help us win."
Whether Embiid is available or not, the 76ers still have to prepare to take on their blood rivals in the Celtics, a team they will be facing in the postseason for a 22nd time in the long and illustrious history of the franchises.
Rivers and Reed said playing the Celtics was the expectation all along, even as Boston gave the Sixers a couple extra days for them to prepare and Embiid to rest by blowing a big fourth-quarter lead in Game 5 against the Atlanta Hawks.
Rivers, who led Boston to its last championship 15 years ago, praised the Celtics for their depth and playoff experience, which he said will help them navigate the weeks ahead.
"A lot of things," Rivers said. "They're a terrific team, they're well-coached, they spread the floor, they attack, they're deep, they have a lot of weapons.
"Obviously Tatum and Brown, but Horford, White, Brogdon, you just keep going down the list. They just have a lot of guys that can play basketball, and like I've said with other teams, they're made. They've been to the Finals. They get it. They've been through any type of adversity. Nothing is going to shake them. And you've got to be ready for that."
Embid Doubtful
theathletic.com
Embiid 'doubtful' ahead of Game 1 vs. Celtics
Rivers said Embiid didn't practice Saturday and will likely remain doubtful for "at least Game 1.”
theathletic.com
Book went OFF in the first round
38 PTS
45 PTS
30 PTS
47 PTS
38 PTS
45 PTS
30 PTS
47 PTS
| 553 | Phoenix Suns | +4 | -110 | +151 | Ov | 227 | -115 | Ov | 112 | -120 | Un | 112 | +100 | |||||||||||
| 554 | Denver Nuggets | -4 | -110 | -171 | Un | 227 | -105 | Ov | 116 | -110 | Un | 116 | -110 |
Murder in Denver
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Knicks All-Star F Julius Randle (ankle sprain) is expected to be out for Game 1 vs. Miami today, sources tell ESPN.
Great adjustments by the Heat.
Excellent 2nd half
Excellent 2nd half
