Online sportsbooks believe it would be a shock if Embiid plays, and have pegged as a result. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 pm ET at TD Garden in Boston, MA, with TNT providing the broadcast coverage.
Odds as of April 30 at .
Philadelphia vs Boston Injury Report
Embiid went down in Game 3 of Philly s four-game Round 1 sweep of Brooklyn with a sprained knee, and hasn t done much basketball work since. The injury is reportedly considered more serious than a Grade 1 LCL sprain, which could spell a quick end to the Sixers hopes in the .
They got no chance without Joel Embiid. Zero.
Chuck on Joel Embiid s status heading into the Boston series
NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT)
Embiid led the league in scoring this year, averaging 33 points, while also chipping in 10 rebounds and four assists per game. He excelled against the Celtics in four regular season matchups, averaging 37 points and 12 boards. Despite his heroics, Philly went 1-3 versus Boston.
Their lone victory came in a game where neither Jaylen Brown or Robert Williams III played for the Celts, and it took 52 points from Embiid to secure the W.
76ers vs Celtics Betting Splits
The 76ers vs Celtics point spread has been moving towards Boston ever since it opened at -6.5 on Friday. Now that it s reached double-digits however, Philly money is starting to show up. As of Sunday night, the 76ers are drawing 69% of the ATS bets and 72% of the handle as 10 point underdogs.
Total wise, the line has fallen two points from its opener, and currently sits at 213.5. At that number, 81% of the bets, and 83% of the handle are on the over.
76ers vs Celtics Betting Notes
Both Philadelphia and Boston boasted top-10 defenses this season, and that plus the absence of Embiid is helping contribute to the low total. It should be noted however, that the Celtics had no trouble putting up points versus the Sixers during the regular season.
Philadelphia s defensive rating was seven points worse versus Boston than their season average. Eight Celtics averaged double-figures versus the Sixers, led by Jayson Tatum and Brown. The duo is one of the most talented in the NBA, and are both coming off a Round 1 series where they averaged 27 points.
The Celtics are now 23-1 (.957) when Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown both score 30 points, including the playoffs.
That s the best win percentage by a duo all-time (min 20 games), ahead of Michael Jordan Scottie Pippen (18-2, .900).
ESPN Stats Info (@ESPNStatsInfo)
Boston has the best offensive rating of any East team in the postseason, and led that category during the regular season as well. The Celtics were just ahead of the 76ers, but a Philly team without Embiid is not all that imposing.
That s even more true when you take into account James Harden s struggles in the opening round, and Tyrese Maxey s struggles against Boston during the regular season.
76ers vs Celtics Predictions
Harden and Maxey are the Sixers second and third leading scorers, and Philly simply can t compete if they re not playing to their potential. Harden finished Round 1 by making just 7 of his final 20 three-point attempts, and shooting 4-for-17 from the rim.
He also averaged just 2.8 trips to the free throw line versus the Nets, which is shocking since he typically lives at the charity stripe. Boston s defense is much more athletic and imposing than Brooklyn s, which should sound panic alarms to potentially Philly series bettors.
76ers vs Celtics Series Odds
