Atlantic Division rivals Philadelphia 76ers and Bostin Celtics face off in a regular season NBA showdown in London on Thursday in what should be an entertaining affair for the British fans.
Neither team has any major injury concerns but there are a few absentees. Rookie Markelle Fultz and Furkan Korkmaz are missing for the 76ers, while Boston remain without long-term injury victim Gordon Hayward, who clearly would have had a big role to play this season if he’d been fit but he’s been out since the season-opener.
The Celtics finished at the top of the pile after the regular season in the Eastern Conference last season and appear on course to do so again. Boston have an overall record of 33-10, putting them five games ahead of closest rivals Toronto Raptors and seven clear of Cleveland Cavaliers.
However, if we learnt anything about the Cavs last season it is they know how to step up their game in the post-season – as they went 12-1 until meeting Golden State Warriors in the finals after a fairly abject regular campaign where they had a losing record on the road.
Despite Boston’s dominance out East at present, it is hard to see them beating the Cavs over seven games should the pair meet in the playoffs, and as such securing top seed for the second successive year would represent progress as far as the Celtics are concerned even if they do ultimately have loftier ambitions.
Meanwhile, The Sixers are just outside the top eight in the East and this London match-up is a possible prelude to a post-season series between these two historic rivals. Philly have been either bottom or second bottom in the conference for the last four years but finally have a team together that could see them qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2012 and making the post-season would be considered a success from their point of view.
Both teams head into this match-up in good form as the Celtics winning streak stands at six and the Sixers have won five of their last six, having claimed the notable scalp of San Antonio Spurs during that period.
However, the Celtics have won eight of the last nine NBA meetings between the two and going back further their dominance in the fixture is telling. Since the end of the 2013-14 season, Philadelphia have managed just two regular season wins to Boston’s 22 and looking at the Philadelphia 76ers v Boston Celtics odds a Celtics win seems the best way to go in this showdown.
Boston Celtics To Win @ 8/13 – BET NOW
Boston have won all four previous meetings between the two this season, outscoring the Sixers by 46 points over the course of those matches. The smallest margin of victory for the Celtics in those meetings is eight points and with the spread set at -3.5 for this London match-up that looks a beatable target and a Philadelphia 76ers v Boston Celtics betting option worth some real consideration.
Boston Celtics -3.5 Point Spread @ 10/11 – BET NOW
There is a rivalry between these two teams but it has been one-sided for some time now and expect the Celtics to claim the win - and probably another comfortable one - in London on Thursday.
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