NBA Betting Preview: A Look at Celtics-76ers

Boston Celtics at Philadelphia 76ers, Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA
Thursday, December 9, 2010, 8:00 pm Eastern, TV: TNT
Opening Line: Boston -5
Current Line: Boston -5
Opening Total: 193
Current Total: 190
Money Line:Boston -215 / Philadelphia +185

Paul Pierce and the Celtics travel to Philadelphia to take on the 76ers Thursday night. The Celtics are a 5 point favorite.

The Boston Celtics travel to Philadelphia to renew their long time rivalry with the 76ers. The Celtics are 17-4 on the season and the Sixers have struggled to a 7-14 record so far this season under first year coach Doug Collins. Boston had a game last night against in Boston against the Nuggets. The Celtics won handily 105-89. Philadelphia beat Cleveland Tuesday night 117-97. The Celtics are on an 8 game winning streak, where they are only allowing 87 points a game. The Sixers might be better than their record, as they have won 5 straight games at home, and 4 out of 5 overall. Philly has lost a lot of close games this season and there opponents have only scored 10 more total points than the 76ers on the season. Since Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen joined Paul Pierce to form the Celtics’ “Big Three” they have dominated the series against the 76ers. They are 10-2 straight up in that span, including 6-0 in Philadelphia. They have limited the Sixers to 91 points per game in their trips to the Wells Fargo Center. Philadelphia has scored less than 80 points in their last two games at home versus Boston.

Boston is outscoring opponents 101-92 on the season. They lead the lead in assists per game with 26.3 a game, but are struggling to rebound the ball. They only average 39.6 rebounds per game which is 27th in the lead. Shaquille O’Neal, Glen Davis, and Jermaine O’Neal are doing an good job in place of injured center Kendrick Perkins who hopes to return by the All-Star break after tearing his ACL during last year’s Finals. Six Celtics are averaging double figures in scoring. Paul Pierce leads the team in scoring with 18.9 points a game. Pierce also averages 4.5 rebounds per game and 2.8 assists per game. Ray Allen is shooting 42.6% from three point range and is averaging 16.3 points per game. Kevin Garnett is averaging 15.3 points and leads the team in rebounding with 9.8 a game. Point guard Rajon Rando missed a few games due to injury and is averaging 11 points a game. He leads the team in assists with 14 a game and steals with 2.2 a game. Davis is averaging 11.3 PPG and 5.4 RPG. Shaq is averaging 11.2 points a game and 6.4 rebounds. Delonte West and Nate Robinson provide a nice spark off the bench.

Philadelphia is improving with every game and might even compete for a play-off spot in the Eastern Conference. The 76ers are lead by power forward Elton Brand, shooting guard Andre Igoudala, and point guard Jrue Holiday. Five 76ers are averaging double figures in scoring. Brand leads the team in scoring, rebounds, and blocks. Brand is averaging 15.7 points per game, 7.9 rebounds, 1.2 blocks, and 1.5 steals a game. Holiday leads the team in steals and assists. Holiday is averaging 13.4 PPG, 7 assists, and 1.52 steals a game. Igoudala is averaging 13.9 points a game, 6.6 RPG, and 5.5 APG. Rookie guard Evan Turner has struggled somewhat as he adapts to life in the NBA.

Boston seems motivated this year to return to the Finals, after a heartbreaking defeat in 7 games to the hated Lakers. Boston is clearly the better team here, but might be a little sluggish after playing last night in Boston. It isn’t like they had to travel across country, as it only takes an hour to fly from Boston to Philadelphia. However, NBA teams are notorious for not showing up on the second night of back to back games.