NBA Playoffs 2012: Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics, Game 2 Odds

Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics
Monday, 5/14/12, 7:00 PM EST, TV: TNT
Opening Point Spread: Boston -4.5
Current Betting Line: Boston -4.5
Opening Total: 173.5
Current Total: 173.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

Boston Celtics C Kevin Garnett has turned back the clock during the 2012 NBA playoffs

Philadelphia was unable to hold a 10-point lead in the final minutes of Game 1 of its best-of-seven Eastern Conference series against the Boston Celtics on Saturday, falling 92-91 as 5.5-point road underdogs. “The lack of experience showed a little bit, especially with the plays at the end,” stated 76ers forward Andre Iguodala. He has averaged 19.5 points on 50 percent shooting over the last two games, but checks in with a 13.0-point average in the playoffs thus far. Philadelphia is 3-5 ATS as a road underdog of 3.5 to 6 points, with the “under” going 7-1 in those contests.

The 76ers are now just 1-3 away from the Wells Fargo Center in the 2012 NBA playoffs, as they seek their first win at the TD Garden since Dec. 18, 2009. Philadelphia didn’t show much nervousness in the early going in Game 1, which many expected due to the franchise advancing to the second round of the postseason for the first time since 2003. These two teams have matched up quite a bit in this situation, with the Sixers losing their last seven tries in Boston during the playoffs.

Boston rode the ageless legs of Kevin Garnett to a come-from-behind victory, scoring a season-high 29 points and adding 11 rebounds in moving the squad to 4-0 at home during this year’s playoffs. The 16-year veteran is averaging 20.1 points and 10.6 rebounds over seven games, with point guard Rajon Rondo chipping in with 16.2 points and 12.7 assists per game. Rondo secured his eight career triple-double in the postseason in the series opener. Boston is 6-5 ATS as a home favorite of 3.5 to 6 points, with the “over” being 8-3 in that situation.

The Celtics must continue being focused and avoid looking ahead to a potential showdown with the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals, as the Sixers lead by as many as 13 points on Saturday. Boston is hoping to get more production out of forward Paul Pierce, who finished with 14 points on 3-of-11 shooting, as he continues to deal with right knee soreness.