Posted on
3/24/2008 4:39:13 PM
NBA Sportsbook Betting - Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics
By Eric Williams
The Philadelphia 76ers, (35-35 SU, 37-30-3 ATS, 33-36-1 O/U), are one of the hottest teams in the entire NBA, having won nine of their last 11 games and five of six in the BetUS.com Sportsbook coming into tonight’s showdown with the equally hot league-leading Boston Celtics, (55-14 SU, 42-25-2 ATS, 31-37-1 O/U), winners of 14 of their last 16 games.
Despite their winning ways, the young Sixers aren’t getting complacent and say they are starting to learn from the league’s best teams like the Celtics. After beating the New Jersey Nets 91-87 on Saturday, Sixers swingman Andre Iguoadala commented on his team’s eye-opening growth over the season’s second half.
"I think we're starting to learn a little bit, especially from other teams," Iguoadala said. "I try to point out to the guys, let's learn from those great teams. Learn from the Detroits, learn from the Bostons. The things that they do well, we need to take that from them and incorporate that into our games. I think we're doing that, especially with the fourth-quarter defense."
The Sixers will be facing a Celtics team that will be none-too-happy after losing to the New Orleans Hornets 113-106 on the road on Saturday to snap a four-game winning streak.
"We definitely had our opportunities, had our big early lead, but we couldn't get stops tonight for some reason," Celtics swingman Paul Pierce said. "We just played lackadaisical (in the fourth quarter). You've got to give them some credit."
While the Sixers have beaten the Phoenix Suns, Detroit Pistons and San Antonio Spurs during their winning streak, they know facing the Celtics, whom they are 0-3 against on the season, is a much tougher task because of Boston’s powerful defense.
"They make you realize we have a ways to go," Sixers head coach Maurice Cheeks said following his team’s 100-86 loss to the Celtics on March 10. "We've been playing well, but we've got to play better. They have seasoned guys, we understand that."
The Sixers have gone 6-4 against the spread in their last ten games but have failed to cover in three straight while the Celtics have gone 8-2 against the spread in their last ten and 4- in their last five contests.
Here is a look at tonight’s Key Trends, followed by my analysis and NBA Betting Picks:
The 76ers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 road games.
The 76ers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games playing on 1 days rest.
The Celtics are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 Monday games.
The Celtics are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 vs. Eastern Conference.
The Over is 4-0 in 76ers last 4 games following a S.U. win.
The Under is 4-0 in Celtics last 4 games as a favorite. 76ers are 2-9-1 ATS in the last 12 meetings.
The Road team is 6-1-1 ATS in the last 8 meetings.
Analysis: While the Sixers are playing excellent basketball at the moment, they certainly aren’t in the same class as the Celtics. Boston has beaten their Atlantic Division rivals by an average of 17.0 points per game in three meetings this season and should find a way to cover the spread in this matchup.
NBA Free Picks: Celtics -10½ Points/Under 194 Total Points
07:35 PM EST NBA Odds
Philadelphia 76ers +10½ -110
Boston Celtics -10½ -110
Over 194 -110
Under 194 -110
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