Celtics vs 76ers Game 4: Philadelphia Looks to Respond Down 2-1

The second-seeded Boston Celtics are now up 2-1 over the third-seeded Philadelphia 76ers in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Game 4 is slated for Sunday (3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN) at the Wells Fargo Center.

Can the Celtics put a stranglehold on the series? Or will the 76ers respond to pull even? Let’s tackle those questions in our Celtics vs 76ers Game 4 preview.

Can Harden Bounce back?

Philadelphia star James Harden has struggled from the floor since his 45-point outburst in Game 1, shooting 5-of-28 (17.8%) over the last two games. It’s the worst two-game stretch of his career.

Harden did contribute 16 points, 11 assists and six rebounds in Game 3, but he also matched a playoff high with five turnovers. The 76ers committed 13 as a team.

With Harden scuffling, it was Joel Embiid — who else? — who carried the scoring load for the 76ers, dropping a game-high 30 points in a 12-point loss. Embiid is now averaging 21 points — 12.1 below his league-leading average — this postseason, but he will obviously need more help for Philadelphia to pull off the upset.

Following Game 3, Embiid implored Harden to stay aggressive, telling reporters, “Some nights you’re going to make lots of other shots, a lot of tough ones, and some nights you’re not going to make them. So it’s about finding other ways to impact the game.” Whether Harden heeds that message in Celtics vs 76ers Game 4 remains to be seen.

Too Much Tatum

Jayson Tatum overcame a tough Game 2 (seven points on 1-of-7 shooting) to score 27 points to go with 10 rebounds and five assists. It was his second double-double this series and sixth of the NBA playoffs.

Tatum is now averaging 24.3 points this series, and unlike Embiid, he’s had plenty of help. Jaylen Brown added 23 points in Game 2, and four other Celtics scored at least 13.

For Boston, it’s simply a continuation of the NBA regular season. Thanks to Sixth Man of the Year Malcolm Brogdon, Robert Williams III, Derrick White and others, the Celtics continue to boast one of the NBA’s deepest rotations.

It’s why Boston is now a -700 moneyline favorite to beat Philadelphia and advance to the Eastern Conference finals for the third time in four seasons. Conversely, the 76ers are now priced at +500.

How Do Boston’s Futures Odds Stack Up?

Boston continues to widen the gap in the Eastern Conference betting market. Following their Game 3 victory, the Celtics moved from -120 to -325 to win the conference. Meanwhile, the 76ers dropped from +290 to +800, matching the odds of Miami and New York.

At +125, the Celtics are also the overall NBA favorite. Denver, the top seed in the Western Conference, owns the second-best odds at +400, followed by Golden State (+550), Los Angeles (+600) and Phoenix (+1000). The 76ers are now a longshot at +2000.

Handicapping Game 4

As expected, the Celtics vs 76ers Game 4 spread is leaning in Boston’s favor. The Celtics are favored by 2.5 points and -145 on the moneyline, while Philadelphia is priced at +125. The over/under is set at 214.5 points, just 1.5 points under the combined total from Game 3.

With key players such as Joel Embiid and Jayson Tatum leading their respective teams, the Celtics vs 76ers Game 4 is poised to be a high-stakes game with plenty of excitement and drama on the court

The 76ers haven’t figured out how to consistently beat Boston when it matters. There’s little reason to believe that’ll change, especially as the pressure builds for Philadelphia. While Embiid has had a sensational season, dethroning Nuggets center Nikola Jokic for his first NBA MVP award, he’s now just 1-10 in his career against Boston in the playoffs. That lone victory, coming in the 2017-18 conference semifinals, is now just a distant memory.

Embiid played 39 minutes in Game 3, quieting concerns about his sprained right knee. He seems to be healthy. That said, the 76ers can rely only so much on him. His supporting cast is wilting. Like Harden, Tyrese Maxey has been inefficient from the floor since Game 1, shooting 10-of-30, including 4-of-13 on 3-point attempts.

Notably, Philadelphia is 48-34 against the NBA spread this year, including 10-9 as an underdog of 2.5 points or more.

For the latest NBA scores, news, analysis and more, visit pointspreads.com

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