Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics
TD Garden, Boston, MA
Tuesday, April 5, 2011, 7:30 pm Eastern, TV: TCH-Philly, Comcast-NE, NBA League Pass
Opening Line: Boston -6 1/2
Current Line: Boston -6
Opening Total: 187
Current Total: 186 1/2
Money Line: BOS -260 / PHI +220
These two longtime rivals would meet in the first round of the NBA playoffs based on current standings. However, they both have business to take care of before the playoffs begin. Boston is 53-23 and locked in a battle with Chicago and Miami for the top seed in the East. They are 3 games behind the Bulls with only 6 to play, so it might be a reach to catch the Bulls. The Celtics are only a half game behind the Heat for the second spot, which could be crucial if the two teams meet in the second round of the playoffs as expected. The Celtics beat Detroit on Sunday 101-90 in Boston. The Celtics have gone 5-5 in the last 10 games. Philadelphia is currently seeded 6th in the East with a 40-37 record. The 76ers have a game and a half lead over the Knicks for that spot. The Sixers have gone 6-4 in their last 10 games including a 93-87 overtime loss at Milwaukee Saturday night.
Boston has won 2 of the 3 meetings this season. All three games have been decided by 4 points or less. Boston won in Philadelphia December 9 102-101, and at home December 22 84-80. The 76ers won at home March 11 89-86. Boston has won 9 of the last 11 match-ups in the series, but Philadelphia is 6-5 ATS in those games. The Sixers are 27-12 ATS after 2 days rest the last 3 seasons. Philadelphia is 6-1 ATS this season off an upset loss as a favorite. Boston is 5-21 ATS this season after a 10 point or more win the previous game.
Philadelphia guard Louis Williams is out indefinitely with a hamstring injury. He averages 13.7 points a game and 3.4 assists a game. Guard Andre Igoudala is listed as probable with a knee injury. Five other 76ers besides Williams score in double digits. Elton Brand leads the team in points with 14.9, rebounds with 8.4, and blocks with 1.3 a game. Iguodala scores 14.1 points a game leads the team in assists with 6.4 a game, and steals with 1.6 a game. Jrue Holliday (13.9), Thaddeus Young (12.6), and Jodie Meeks (10.6) also score in double digits. The Sixers are coached by Doug Collins, who is in his first year with the team. Philadelphia is outscoring opponents 100-98 on the season. The 76ers are shooting 46.3% from the field and 36% from 3-point range. Philly opponents are shooting 45.1% from the field. The Sixers make 77.1% of their free throws. The 76ers pull down 42.1 rebounds a game and have a rebounding margin of -0.3. Philadelphia averages 22.8 assists and 13.1 turnovers a game. They force 14.2 turnovers a game on defense. The Sixers average 7.6 steals and 4.3 blocks a game.
The veteran Celtics are ravaged by injuries now and are trying to get healthy in time for the playoffs. It might not matter in the first round against the Indiana or Philadelphia, but the Celtics have to be healthy by the second round against the Magic, Bulls, or Heat. Just when Jermaine O’neal returns for the first time since mid-January, Nenad Krstic injured his knee last week and is listed as probable. Shaquille O’Neal returned Sunday after being out since January with an Achilles’ tendon strain. However he only played 6 minutes before straining the calf in his other leg. He is listed as doubtful for this game. Troy Murphy is probable with an ankle injury tonight.
The Celtics have 5 players scoring in double figures led by Paul Pierce who averages 18.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1 steal a game. Ray Allen (16.8), Kevin Garnett (14.9), Glen “Big Baby” Davis (11.8) and Rajon Rondo (10.5) , also score more than 10 points a game. Garnett leads the team in rebounds with 9 a game. Rondo leads the team in assists with 11.3 a game and steals with 2.2 a game. Jermaine O’Neal is tied with Shaq for the team lead in blocks with 1.1 a game. The Celtics are outscoring opponents 97-91 on the year. Boston is shooting 48.7% from the field and 36.7% from 3-point range. Celtic opponents are shooting 43.3% from the field. Boston makes 76.5% of their free throws. Boston averages 38.9 rebounds a game and has a rebounding margin of -0.7. The Celtics average 23.7 assists and 14.4 turnovers a game. They force 15.3 turnovers a game. Boston averages 8.2 steals and 4.1 blocks a game.
Boston coach Doc Rivers has a difficult decision to make with Shaq. Should he sit him down for the rest of the regular season, or let him use the 6 games to get back into playing shape before the playoffs start risking further injury. The seeding for the Celtics doesn’t really matter. You might remember last year, the Celtics were the 4th seed and then proceeded to beat #5 Miami, #1 seed Cleveland, and #2 Orlando to advance to the Finals where they lost to the Lakers in a heart-breaking seven game series. Boston is capable of winning on any floor or any city, so they don’t really care about home court as much as other teams do. Sure, it would be nice to have court but it isn’t a necessity for Boston.
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