NBA Predictions: A Big Test for Philly 10/20/17

Posted on October 20, 2017

The Boston Celtics couldn’t have planned a worse start to their 2017 campaign. They not only lost coveted free agent signee Gordon Hayward in the opener, they’ve dropped two games in a row. The NBA Predictions Celtics Sixers 10/20/17 is a game that Philadelphia has circled on their schedule early, as they want to see if the process is truly to be trusted. The 76ers dropped their first game of the year, but are ready for a Friday night tilt at home.

Odds

62% of the public is liking the Celtics to drop to 0-3 as they’re riding Philadelphia -3 in this one. The NBA Predictions Celtics Sixers 10/20/17 line actually opened at Sixers -1.5 but the betting has pushed the line. Boston still has a talented lineup led by Kyrie Irving and Al Horford so there is some value at Boston +125.

Boston Celtics

The Celtics open with a close loss to Cleveland on Tuesday but faced the ill effects of a back-to-back to open the season with a loss at home to Milwaukee on Wednesday. Kyrie Irving is averaging 19.5 PPG and 6.5 APG through his first two games as ‘the man’ in Boston. Jaylen Brown is averaging 21.5 PPG early in the year and rookie Jayson Tatum 11.0 PPG and 9.5 RPG. In a nutshell, the C’s are deep – and they’ll have to with Marcus Smart and Marcus Morris likely out tonight.

Philadelphia 76ers

The Sixers lost a high scoring affair to Washington Wednesday night but came away with some positives. Joel Embiid for example notched 18 points and 13 rebounds while Ben Simmons chipped in 18 and 10. Philadelphia showed their depth as Robert Covington had 29 out of nowhere. Philadelphia obviously had some defensive lapses however. They gave up 28 and 25 to John Wall and Bradley Beal while six Wizards players in total scored in double figures.

NBA Predictions Celtics Sixers 10/20/17

Bettors are loving this young Philadelphia team, and it’s hard not to. They got star power and depth, but tonight could be defined by their lack of a defensive identity. Celtics coach Brad Stevens should be able to eat up this young Sixers squad and despite the fact that Boston is shorthanded, they have a great opportunity to get into the win column for the NBA Predictions Celtics Sixers 10/20/17.