Kemba Walker and the Boston Celtics will be looking to snap a two-game losing streak when they visit the division rival Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday night. Philly will look to record consecutive victories in this affair, but they’ll have to do it without superstar center Joel Embiid who will be out for the foreseeable future after dislocating his left ring finger on Monday night. Now, let’s find out where the best value lies in this matchup.
Celtics vs 76ers 2020 NBA Spread, Game Info & Betting Pick
- When: January 9, 2020 at 7:00 PM ET
- Where: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA
- TV: TNT
- Radio: Boston / Philadelphia
- Live Stream: NBA League Pass
- NBA Odds: Philadelphia -2 / Total: 216.5
Why Bet On Boston?
While Boston has lost two straight including a humbling 129-114 smackdown loss at home against San Antonio on Wednesday night, there are still some good reasons to believe the Celtics can either win outright or cover the chalk in this contest. First, all-star point guard Kemba Walker should be a bit better after returning from a three-game absence against the Spurs due to illness. Walker was limited to 18 minutes of playing time and scored a modest six points in the loss after getting ejected in the third quarter after contesting a no-call on a hard screen by San Antonio’s LaMarcus Aldridge.
“The ref missed the call and I just voiced my opinion a little bit and the rest was history,” Walker told reporters afterward. “First time I’ve ever been ejected in my whole life … I am a two-time sportsmanship award winner as well. So maybe I should get a little leeway.”
Despite their modest skid, Boston has won seven of their last 10 games, not to mention the C’s have compiled a solid 11-7 record on the road this season. The Celtics also are the better statistical team at both ends of the floor in ranking 14th in scoring (110.9 ppg) and a stupendous second in points allowed (104.3 ppg) while also ranking in the top 10 in every other meaningful defensive category. Last, but not least, Boston has lost to Philly twice and they’ll be seeking some big-time revenge in this affair.
Team Statistics
Offense:- Average Score For: 110.94
- Field Goals: 45.46%
- Three Points: 34.99%
- Free Throws: 80.23%
- Rebounds: 45.97
- Average Score Against: 104.26
- Field Goals: 44.02%
- Three Points: 34.26%
- Free Throws: 74.33%
- Rebounds: 44.34
Why Bet On Philadelphia?
While the Sixers will be without Joel Embiid, there are still some good reasons to believe Philadelphia can get the win and ATS cover. The 76ers are still waiting to receive a timetable of how long Embiid will be out of the lineup, although the all-star big man did continue to play after getting injured on Monday.
“It was pretty bad,” Embiid told reporters. “I basically could only play with one hand. It was really bad. But in the midst of the losing streak, I just wanted to make sure that I do everything possible to get us a win, and I was glad to get us a win.”
The 76ers snapped a four-game losing streak by downing Oklahoma City 120-113 on Monday. Then, there’s the fact that Philly has gone a bankroll-boosting 17-2 at home this season and beat the Celtics by 14 points at home on October 23, before doubling up on the C’s by recording a 115-109 road win over the C’s on Dec. 12th.
While Embiid will be out of the lineup, Philly can turn to veteran big man Al Horford, who spent the previous three seasons with Boston. The bad news is that Horford is shooting a career-worst 45.3 percent from the field while averaging 12.3 points, which would be his lowest mark since 2008-09.
“You can talk about Al and what role is he in now, maybe there’s a line drawn through both of those for a period of time, but I’m looking forward to seeing him play against his old team (Thursday), Philadelphia coach Brett Brown told reporters.”
Team Statistics
Offense:- Average Score For: 109.79
- Field Goals: 47.09%
- Three Points: 36.20%
- Free Throws: 74.70%
- Rebounds: 46.05
- Average Score Against: 105.95
- Field Goals: 45.66%
- Three Points: 35.52%
- Free Throws: 73.84%
- Rebounds: 40.68
NBA Betting Trends for Boston Celtics vs Philadelphia 76ers
- Celtics are 2-5 ATS in the last 7 games
- Celtics are 8-3 SU in the last 11 game
- The total went UNDER in 4 of Boston’s last 6 games
- 76ers are 1-4 ATS in the last 5 games
- 76ers are 1-4 SU in the last 5 games
- The total went OVER in 7 of Philadelphia’s last 10 games
Celtics vs 76ers Expert Analysis and Prediction
While Philadelphia has beaten Boston in both meetings this season and will be at home in this matchup, I believe the loss of Joel Embiid will have a significant effect on how the Sixers play, particularly at the defensive end of the floor. Despite their win on Monday, Philly has been playing some mediocre basketball recently and lost six of nine prior to beating the Thunder. Boston has the better group of perimeter players and with Embiid out of the lineup, I believe they’ll have their way while extracting the revenge they’re looking for.
Boston has gone 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games as a road underdog and 4-1 ATS in their last 5 road games while Philadelphia has gone an uninspiring 2-5-2 ATS in their last 9 games as a favorite and 0-4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall. Jayson Tatum snaps out of his mini-funk and Kemba walker shows up in a big way to lead Boston to the outright road win in the City of Brotherly Love!
Pick: Boston 109 Philadelphia 104
