NBA Basketball
2012-05-12 - Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States: NBA Basketball Eastern Conference Play Off Semi Final
Saturday 12 May 2012 - Tip Off 8pm ET
1am (British Standard Time)
Preview
This is not the Semi Final many would have predicted at the start of the Play Offs, but the Philadelphia 76ers and the Boston Celtics, two Atlantic Division rivals, will have the chance to meet one another for a place in the Eastern Conference Finals.
The 76ers faced the Chicago Bulls in the First Round and no one, outside of their locker room anyway, would have given them a lot of hope of winning that series. However, a major injury to Derrick Rose in game 1 of that series shifted things, while a further injury to Joakim Noah made it almost impossible for the Bulls to overcome.
Boston are less of a surprise reaching this stage as they overcame the Atlanta Hawks in six tough games, but they are a little beat up at the moment. Paul Pierce is suffering with a knee injury that is likely to need some assistance once the season is over, while Ray Allen has had some complications from his own recent recovery.
Kevin Garnett has admitted he has been feeling a little tired, but he was fired up in game 6 as he led the Celtics to a three point win over the Hawks.
It was also a complete contrast as to how the teams dealt with their series win, both of these teams coming through on Thursday night. Philadelphia were extremely excited, while the Celtics looked like a team that has bigger ambitions in mind in these Play Offs.
There is a real chance that Ray Allen will not play in this first game of the series to ensure he is ready for the second game on Monday.
Head to Head
Philadelphia won the regular season series between the teams 2-1, although both of those wins came at home and their only loss was at the TD Garden.
The Celtics had actually won 4 of the previous 5 games between the Divisional rivals before this season.
Boston have a 6-1 record in their last 7 home games against Philadelphia, although they are just 4-3 against the spread in those games.
Other Interesting Trends
Boston are 8-1 against the spread in their last 9 games against a team with a losing record on the road.
They are 5-2 against the spread in their last 7 games as the home favourite of between 5 and 10.5 points.
They are 17-5 against the spread in their last 22 games when playing with 1 days rest.
Philadelphia are 7-21 against the spread in their last 28 games against a team with a winning record.
They are 5-11 against the spread in their last 16 games against a team with a winning record at home.
Prediction
I am going to back the Boston Celtics to win this game and cover the spread for the following reasons:
First, Boston have the experience to cope with the demands of a Semi Final series, while the Philadelphia 76ers have little experience of the Play Offs let alone when the pressure reaches these levels.
Second, the Celtics have dominated their Atlantic Division rivals at home in recent games and the spread looks to a little low to me.
Third, Philadelphia are just 2-5 against the spread when the road underdog and given between 3.5 and 6 points. Boston are 6-4 against the spread when favoured by between the same number of points.
The Pick :
Boston Celtics 92-85 Philadelphia 76ers
