76ers vs Celtics Game 3 Prediction NBA Playoffs 5/5

© David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Game Preview: Celtics vs. 76ers (May 5, 2023) Pregame

The Boston Celtics will face off against the Philadelphia 76ers in an exciting game on May 5, 2023. The NBA Picks experts and NBA Picks computer predictions suggest that this game will be an intense matchup, with both teams vying to emerge victorious. The Celtics and 76ers are in a 1-1 series tie in the Eastern Conference second round, making this game a crucial one for both teams. In their last matchup, the Celtics beat the 76ers 121-87, with Jaylen Brown leading the Celtics with 25 points and Tobias Harris leading the 76ers with 16 points. The 76ers have gone 34-18 against Eastern Conference teams, ranking sixth in the conference with 25.2 assists per game led by James Harden averaging 10.7. Meanwhile, the Celtics are 11-5 against the rest of their division, ranking sixth in the Eastern Conference with 14.0 fast break points per game led by Brown averaging 4.7. With top performers like Harden shooting 44.1% and averaging 21.0 points for the 76ers and Jayson Tatum averaging 30.1 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists for the Celtics, this game is set to be an explosive one. 

Celtics: Offensive Analysis

The Boston Celtics are set to face off against the Philadelphia 76ers in a critical game in the Eastern Conference second round, with the series tied 1-1. In the last matchup between these two teams, the Celtics dominated, beating the 76ers 121-87, with Jaylen Brown leading the way with 25 points. Looking at the Celtics' offensive stats for the season, they have been very impressive. They are ranked fourth in the league for points per game, averaging 118.2, while also boasting the best average score margin in the league at +6.6. The team's effective field goal percentage is also among the top in the league at 56.9%. However, there are a few areas where the Celtics could improve. They have struggled to get to the free-throw line, ranking 28th in free throw attempts per field goal attempt. Additionally, they have not been dominant on the offensive glass, ranking just 22nd in offensive rebounds per game. The key to the Celtics' success on offense will be the performance of their top players, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Tatum has been averaging an impressive 30.1 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game, while Brown has been averaging 24.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game. If these two players can continue to perform at a high level, it will be tough for any team to stop them. Overall, while there are some areas where the Celtics could improve, their offense has been very solid this season. With the series tied 1-1, it will be important for the Celtics to come out strong on the offensive end if they want to take control of the series. NBA picks experts and computers predict a closely contested game, and the Celtics will need to rely on their offense to come out on top.

Celtics: Defensive Analysis

The Boston Celtics will need a strong defensive performance against the Philadelphia 76ers to secure a victory in their upcoming game. The Celtics rank fifth in the league in points allowed per game, giving up just 111.5 points on average. They also rank fourth in offensive points per game with 118.2, giving them a healthy scoring margin of +6.6. Boston's defense will need to focus on limiting the 76ers' leading scorer Joel Embiid, who is averaging 14.8 points over the last 10 games. They will also need to limit James Harden, who is averaging 21.0 points while shooting 44.1% for the season. The Celtics' defense will look to disrupt the 76ers' offense, which ranks sixth in the league in assists per game with 25.2. The Celtics have been solid at defending the three-point line this season, allowing opponents to shoot just 34.7% from deep, which ranks fourth in the league. This is an area where they could look to frustrate the 76ers, who shoot an average of 33.9 three-pointers per game. Boston's defense will also look to limit turnovers, as they rank sixth in the league in turnovers forced per game with 12.6. This could be a key factor in disrupting the 76ers' offensive flow, as they average 23.0 turnovers per game. Overall, a strong defensive effort will be crucial for the Boston Celtics to secure a victory against the Philadelphia 76ers in their upcoming game. With a solid defensive ranking and the ability to limit turnovers and disrupt three-point shooting, the Celtics are poised to take control of the series and come away with a win.

76ers: Offense Analysis

As the Philadelphia 76ers square off against the Boston Celtics with the series tied at 1-1, offense will play a crucial role in determining the outcome of the game. Let's take a closer look at the 76ers' offense and their chances of coming out on top. The 76ers have been playing well recently, winning 8 of their last 10 games and averaging 109.5 points per game. Led by James Harden and Joel Embiid, they have been averaging 25.2 assists per game, which ranks sixth in the Eastern Conference. However, they will need to improve their shooting percentage of 47.5% from the field if they want to come out on top in this game. On the other hand, the Celtics have been averaging 120.4 points per game in their last 10 games with Jayson Tatum leading the way with an impressive 30.1 points per game. They also rank sixth in fast break points per game with an average of 14.0 and have been shooting 51.4% from the field. These impressive offensive stats make them a tough opponent for the 76ers. While the 76ers have been performing well, the Celtics' offense looks stronger on paper, which is reflected by the computer NBA picks and predictions. NBA experts and NBA picks computers have largely predicted a Celtics win, making them the best NBA bet for today. The Celtics are also favored by Fanduel Sportsbook, with a -1.5 point spread and over/under set at 214. In order for the 76ers to come out on top, they will need to produce more efficient shots and convert on their offensive opportunities. Jaylen Brown and Tobias Harris will need to step up their game and support Harden and Embiid to generate more points and give the team a fighting chance. Overall, it looks like the Celtics have the upper hand in terms of offense, but anything can happen on game day. It should be an exciting matchup between these two Eastern Conference teams as they battle for a crucial win in the series.

76ers: Defensive Analysis

As the Philadelphia 76ers prepare to face off against the Boston Celtics, it is important to take a look at their defensive performance this season. The 76ers have been one of the best defensive teams in the NBA, ranking fifth overall in points allowed per game at 111.5. Led by Tobias Harris and Joel Embiid, the 76ers have been able to limit their opponents' scoring opportunities by dominating the boards and forcing turnovers. They rank 10th in the league in total rebounds per game at 52.2 and are averaging 7.6 steals and 4.6 blocks per game. In addition to their strong defensive presence, the 76ers have also been efficient on the offensive end, averaging 109.5 points per game while shooting 47.5% from the field. Their opponents have only been able to score an average of 107.2 points per game against them. However, the Celtics are a tough opponent and are averaging 120.4 points per game while shooting 51.4% from the field. The 76ers will need to step up their defensive performance to limit the Celtics' scoring opportunities and secure a victory. Overall, the 76ers have the defensive prowess necessary to shut down the Celtics and clinch the series lead. With their strong defensive presence and efficient offense, they have the potential to come out on top in this highly anticipated matchup. NBA picks experts and NBA picks computers predict a close game, but with the 76ers ultimately coming out on top.

Injury Report

Heading into the crucial Game 3, both the Philadelphia 76ers and the Boston Celtics have relatively clean injury reports. The 76ers have no players listed as injured, while the Celtics will be without the services of Danilo Gallinari due to a knee injury. This means that both teams will likely field their strongest possible lineups, which is good news for NBA fans hoping for an intense and competitive game. With both teams aiming to take control of the series, the absence of any significant injuries could play a crucial role in determining the outcome of this game. As always, it's worth noting that injuries can occur during games, and players can aggravate pre-existing issues. However, at this point in time, both the 76ers and the Celtics appear to be in good health and ready to do battle on the court. Overall, the lack of significant injuries for either team should give NBA picks experts and fans alike confidence that this game will be a showcase of top-tier basketball. With so much at stake in this series, every player on both sides will undoubtedly be doing everything in their power to secure a victory for their team.

Betting Trends Analysis

The Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics are currently tied 1-1 in the Eastern Conference second round, and both teams are expected to give their best shot to win this match. Expert NBA picks suggest that this game could go either way, so let's take a look at the betting trends for both teams to better understand their chances of winning. The 76ers have been performing well lately, having won eight out of their last ten games. They are averaging 109.5 points per game and shooting 47.5% from the field. The team is also known for their solid defense, allowing only 107.2 points on average per game from their opponents. As such, it's no surprise that the 76ers are favored to win this game with a line of -1.5. On the other hand, the Celtics have been on a good run too, with seven wins out of their last ten games. They are averaging 120.4 points per game and shooting an impressive 51.4% from the field. Their defense is equally strong, allowing only 111.7 points per game from their opponents. When it comes to betting trends, the Celtics have done well against their division, with an 11-5 record. Meanwhile, the 76ers have gone 34-18 against Eastern Conference teams and are ranked sixth in the conference with 25.2 assists per game, led by James Harden averaging 10.7. 

Prediction