Celtics vs Sixers Game 2 Prediction & Best Bet: The Return of Joel Embiid

Well, he’s back.

The newly minted 2023 regular season MVP Joel Embiid is on track to return tonight for Game 2 of this awesome Eastern Conference Semifinals series between the Boston Celtics and the Philadelphia 76ers.

waking up this morning as the MVP. 🤩 pic.twitter.com/M3sD3HO3tg

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) May 3, 2023

Game 1 saw the 76ers shock the NBA world by winning in TD Garden Arena in Boston without their superstar and the league MVP, and will look to take a commanding 2-0 lead tonight on TNT.

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Tonight, will the Celtics be able to level the series or will Embiid and company take a huge 2-0 lead back to the city of Brotherly Love?

Let’s dive in!

Philadelphia 76ers vs Boston Celtics Game 2

• Game Date and Time: Wednesday, May 3rd, 2023. 8:00 PM EST
• Game Location: TD Garden, Boston, MA
• Where to Watch: TNT/NBA App

Spread

• 76ers +8.5 (-110)
• Celtics -8.5 (-110)

MoneyLine

• 76ers (+400)
• Celtics (-550)

Total

• Over 217 (-110)
• Under 217 (-110)

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Prediction

Game 1 between these 2 Eastern conference heavyweights was a shocker.

With Joel Embiid having to miss the game recovering from his knee injury, the Celtics had a chance to take a big lead to start the series.

Instead, James Harden tied his career playoff high and dropped 45 points on Boston to lead the Sixers to a huge 119-115 win.

45 PTS | 6 AST | 2 STL

things @JHarden13 did: THAT.

💪 hydrated by @BioSteelSports pic.twitter.com/NayQHCc1lN

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) May 2, 2023

The Sixers shot fantastically in Game 1 to alleviate the pressure of not having Embiid, shooting an efficient 50% from the field and 44% from 3.

If the Sixers can do that again tonight, with Embiid returning, this series could be lopsided headed into Game 3.

The Celtics will look to improve upon the good things they did in Game 1, and that will go through their MVP in Jayson Tatum. Tatum was awesome in Game 1, dropping 39 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists.

keeping our energy up. pic.twitter.com/nCfUtFOgE7

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) May 2, 2023

Tonight, in Game 2, the Celtics and Tatum will have to bring the same energy once again, and look to limit the Sixers on the defensive end to ensure they go into Philly at one game a piece.

Even with Joel Embiid returning, I love the Celtics tonight.

I expect a huge bounce back for the boys in Green to come out firing tonight and level the series, on the back of a huge night from Jayson Tatum.

Best Bet

Celtics -7.5 (-110) BetMGM

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Player Prop of the Game

Jayson Tatum o13.5 Rebounds+Assists (-120) BetOnline

I love this prop for Tatum.

JT was awesome in Game 1 and I played his assist prop and he snuck over in the last 5 minutes of the game to cash for us.

I am going straight back to the well but with a little bit of a different angle.

Tatum is obviously a beast on the glass, he has been all season and the added bonus of the Rebounds+assists category at this number is just too good to pass up.

Check out his numbers the last 8 matchups with the Sixers, via Outlier.Bet.

Tatum has 14+ RA in 8 of his last 9 games versus the Sixers, and just had 16 in Game 1.

I expect a similar performance tonight, with a Double-Double and his excellent facilitating on display once again.

Bonus: Tatum o15.5 R+A (+174) BetOnline

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Enjoy all of the NBA Conference Semifinals! There are some great matchups to take in.

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