NBA Basketball

Celtics Open as Chalk to 76ers in Second Round Action

Eastern Conference Second Round Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics

Posted by Nick Brown
May 2, 2023

At the onset of the 2023 NBA Playoffs, the Philadelphia 76ers were overlooked as a top-tier NBA betting favorite. In the Eastern Conference, future market betting action focused on the Milwaukee Bucks and the Boston Celtics. First-round action saw the Bucks ousted by the Miami Heat. At the same time, the 76ers rocked the broom in a sweep of the Brooklyn Nets. Meanwhile, the Boston Celtics escaped the Atlanta Hawks in a six-game series that was tougher than expected. Boston is now the public betting favorite to win the NBA title.

2023 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Second Round

Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics

CashBet Odds: Boston Celtics -330 vs. Philadelphia 76ers v+260

Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics Series Schedule

Game 1: Monday, May 1 at 7:30 p.m. ET, TNT

Game 2: Wednesday, May 3 at 8 p.m. ET, TNT

Game 3: Friday, May 5 at 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN

Game 4: Sunday, May 7 at 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN

Game 5: Tuesday, May 9 at time TBD, TNT (if necessary)

Game 6: Thursday, May 11 at time TBD, ESPN (if necessary)

Game 7: Sunday, May 14, time and network TBD (if necessary)

All times listed are Eastern. (* – if necessary)

Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics CashBet Wagering Analysis

On the whole, the Boston Celtics rank with the Los Angeles Lakers as the biggest brand on the sportsbook odds board. As a result, the Celtics consistently cost beyond the full retail price. Boston draws too much casual sector betting action. Especially after making the 2022 NBA Finals.

Gamblers See Celtics with Clear Path in East

Late on, Boston has covered eight out of their last ten games. While the Celtics have gone over the betting on NBA total in six of its previous eight matchups. In the first round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs, Boston defeated the Atlanta Hawks 4-2 in their best-of-seven series.

Overall, Boston ranks 4^th for scoring offense, 14^th for field goal percentage, 6^th for 3-point field goal percentage, 4^th for free throw percentage, and 7^th for offensive rebounding. At the same time, defensively, the Celtics rank 5^th for scoring defense, 5^th for field goal percentage permitted, 4^th for 3-point field goal percentage allowed, and 18^th for defensive rebounding.

The Boston Celtics finished 57-25 straight up, 45-36-1 against the spread, and 43-38 over/under the total. Late on, Boston has covered eight out of their last ten games. As a result, Boston was 2nd in the Eastern Conference playoff standings. Boston finished one game behind the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

Jayson Tatum leads the Boston scorers with 27.2 points and 10.0 rebounds per contest per game. And then Jaylen Brown brings 26.7 points and 5.3 rebounds per game.

Wise Guys See 76ers as Hidden Gem

Late on, Philadelphia has covered five out of their last six games. While the 76ers have gone over the pro basketball betting total in one of its previous four matchups. In the 2023 NBA playoffs’ first round, the Philadelphia 76ers defeated Brooklyn Nets 4-0 in their best-of-seven series.

In sum, Philadelphia ranks 14^th for scoring offense, 6^th for field goal percentage, 1^st for 3-point field goal percentage, 1^st for free throw percentage, and 26^th for offensive rebounding. By contrast, defensively, the 76ers rank 3^rd for scoring defense, 13^th for field goal percentage permitted, 5^th for 3-point field goal percentage allowed, and 2^nd for defensive rebounding.

The Philadelphia 76ers finished 54-28 straight up, 48-34 against the spread, and 43-38-1 over/under the total. Thus, Philadelphia was 3^rd in the Eastern Conference playoff standings. Philadelphia was four games behind the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

Philadelphia scorers are led by Tyrese Maxey, with 21.8 points and 5.0 rebounds per contest. Tobias Harris averages 20.3 points and 8.8 rebounds per game. At the same time, Joel Embiid brings 20.0 points and 11.3 rebounds per contest.