Series Recap and Pregame Analysis: Celtics vs. 76ers
Celtics fans were dismayed by Boston’s performance in Game 5, as they saw Joel Emiid, Tyrese Maxey, and James Harden dismantle the men in green. The series moves back to Wells Fargo Center as Philly looks to move to the NBA Finals. Although Jayson Tatum went for a double-double in game, Boston was constantly playing from behind. The final result was a 115-103 win by the 76ers.
🏀 FINAL SCORE THREAD 🏀
Joel Embiid gets it done on both ends as the @sixers win Game 5 to go ahead 3-2 in the series!
Tyrese Maxey: 30 PTS, 7 REB, 6 3PM
James Harden: 17 PTS, 10 AST, 8 REB
Jayson Tatum: 36 PTS, 10 REBGame 6: Thursday at 7:30pm/et on ESPN pic.twitter.com/lGh3tRRyoJ
— NBA (@NBA) May 10, 2023
The 76ers seemed to make it look easy to dismantle the Celtics in Game 5. It was practically an all-around poor performance for the green. Joe Mazzulla seemingly had a poor game, and Marcus Smart said the following after the game: “We still believe in our coach. We believe in Joe to the fullest. We haven’t lost faith in him and we won’t. He has a game plan; it’s on us to go out and execute it. We’re the ones out there playing.”
If the Celtics had made some more free throws in Game 5, maybe their gritty play would have been more appreciated, but 3-point shots were not falling. It was truly a frustrating spectacle for all involved. Boston fans booed and left early, and expectations will continue to be high for the Celtics in the upcoming Game 6.
The Thursday night contest in Philadelphia at 7:30 pm Eastern becomes a true statement game for the new version of the Boston Celtics. Tatum and Jaylen Brown were given many years to grow—and they bloomed. However, on the big stage, their performances can be inconsistent. Will Tatum and Brown take the next step in Game 6 and force a Game 7?
All lines and odds courtesy of BetMGM
Betting Info for Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers
Moneyline: Celtics (-140)
76ers (+115)
Spread: Celtics -2.5 (-110)
76ers +2.5 (-110)
Total: Over 212.5 (-110)
Under 212.5 (-110)
Picks and Predictions for the Celtics vs. 76ers
Celtics -2.5 (-110)
With the Celtics, desperation will be on their side. In 2022, the green played well with their backs against the wall, and in the 2023 NBA postseason, that improvement should be seen again this time around. Take the Celtics in this one.
Over 212.5 (-110)
There is also an interesting situation with the total, as it keeps falling. Although there are no injuries, the defenses have seemed to figure out the offenses at times this series. In Game 5, it was as if the 76ers were able to stop the Celtics at a very good rate. Therefore, you are seeing a relatively low total for this series.
Final Game Prediction, Celtics vs. 76ers
Celtics -2.5
