The Philadelphia 76ers will try to keep their postseason run alive when they take on the Boston Celtics in game 4 of their playoff series. The Celtics lead the series 3-0 after beating the Sixers 101-98 in overtime in game 3. Boston will be looking to complete the 4-game sweep of the 76ers in Philadelphia on Monday night.
Boston continues to be without their two best players, Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward, but it has not slowed them down in the postseason. After surviving a tough series against the Milwaukee Bucks, Boston has stepped up their play against the Sixers. The lack of postseason experience has been shown by the Sixers, especially late in game 3. The Philadelphia 76ers are -6.5 over the Boston Celtics on Monday.
Philadelphia Must Play Loose
The Sixers played loose and free in their round 1 series, but have played tight in the first three games in this series. If the Sixers are going to extend the series, Philadelphia must get back to their uptempo, attacking style. Rookie Ben Simmons has shown his youth in this series, but he is capable of leading the Sixers to a game 4 win.
Joel Embiid was a monster in game 3, finishing with 22 points and 19 rebounds in the loss. Philadelphia looked to be in control of the game, but made several key miscues down the stretch that cost them. Embiid and Simmons are talented enough to get the Sixers back into this series, but Philadelphia must finish games late.
Brad Stevens Makes All the Right Moves
Boston coach Brad Stevens was receiving a lot of praise after leading the Celtics to the come from behind victory in game 3. The young coach has done a tremendous job all season long, and now has his team one win away from the Eastern Conference Finals. If Stevens continues to make all the right moves in game 4, the Celtics will be in great shape to finish the sweep.
The Celtics have plenty of young talent, but it was the veteran, Al Horford who made the big plays late for Boston in game 3. Horford has the playoff experience and has done a great job of leading his young teammates. Boston has won the first 3 games due to their defense, and nothing will change heading into game 4.
The Sixers Finally Break Through
The Celtics continue to overcome adversity and are remarkably just one win away from the Eastern Conference Finals. Brad Stevens has his team believing in themselves, and also has them bought in defensively. The Celtics will once again look to frustrate the young Sixers in game 4.
Philadelphia looked like the team to beat in the East during round 1, but it hasn’t been the case in this series. The Sixers are showing their inexperience and aren’t playing with the same confidence and swagger that made them great. Look for the swagger to return in game 4, and for the Sixers to win easily in this game, forcing a game 5. Bet the Philadelphia 76ers -6.5 over the Boston Celtics on Monday.
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