The Boston Celtics can book their tickets to the Eastern Conference Finals with a Game 6 victory aainst the Philadelphia 76'ers. While the NBA odds are giving the Sixers a slight advantage, I believe that the Celtics will send Philly packing.
After taking care of the Sixers in Game 5, the Celtics have a chance to close out Philadelphia in Game 6 on the road. The Celtics cashed as -5 ½ favorites at home in Game 5, and now the C’s are underdogs in Game 6 at +2.
Boston
got some surprise production from Brandon Bass in Game 5, which definitely
helps the Celtics get the victory. Bass led all scorers with 27 points. The
next closest Celtic was Kevin Garnett with 20 points. Can the Celtics close out
Game 6 on the road and then have some rest before facing either the Heat or
Pacers, or will the Sixers protect home court, and force a Game 7 back in
Boston?
Long in tooth/experience
The
Celtics have definitely lost a step or two since their championship back in
2008. However, they still have what it takes to win the East. Some of their
core guys like Paul Pierce and Ray Allen are a little banged up, but the
Celtics’ mentality and poise has made them one of the last remaining road
blocks to what looks like a Miami Heat Eastern Conference Finals.
The
Celtics forced the Sixers into 15 turnovers, a majority of which were given up
in the second half where the Celtics took the lead. The young Sixers just seemed
to fall apart in the second half. Philly only scored 35 points in the second
half, and were outscored by the Celtics 54-35 in the second half.
If
Boston can limit their turnovers again, (10 in Game 5) they will almost surely
be winning Game 6. The Celtics have been solid on the road this regular season
ATS, and even though they are only 2-3 SU on the road in the playoffs, Boston
has the Sixers right where they want them, and they will be giving everything
they have to not play in a Game 7 scenario.
Growing up can be hard
I’m not
taking anything away from the Sixers’ performance this postseason. Even with
the Bulls’ injuries, they were supposed to beat the Sixers, and Philadelphia
has been giving Boston all they can handle. That is the mark of great coaching
and great personnel decisions.
However,
the Sixers run is about to come to a close, as Philly has only scored 88 points
per game against Boston this series, and at times have struggled to find
offense when they need it most. When Boston goes on runs, Philadelphia doesn’t
have one guy they can give the ball to and tell him to stop the run.
The
Sixers have fought magnificently, but they are still an up and comer in the
East. Their time is not now. In a few years, teams like the Sixers, Knicks and
Pacers will be giving teams like the Heat, Bulls and maybe even the Celtics
trouble, but until then, they are just a road block to the Celtics, who will be
in the Eastern Conference Finals.
The Sharp Pick
I’m
obviously siding with Boston in this one, despite being on the road. While the NBA odds makers have given the Sixers the slight advantage, I just don't see Boston letting this series go any further than it already has.
Philadelphia is only 8-15-2 ATS in their last 25 games playing Boston at home,
and they have only won four of their last 12 games against the Celtics playing
in Philly.
Even
though they haven’t had the success against Philadelphia on the road this
season, the Celtics are still 17-7 SU in their last 24 games playing against
the Sixers. The Sixers have had no answer for Kevin Garnett or Rajon Rondo, and
those two will get Boston the road win.
My Pick: Celtics +115