The Philadelphia 76ers reported that middle Joel Embiid may miss Recreation 1 of the NBA Jap Convention semifinals in opposition to the Boston Celtics with a proper knee damage.
The #3 76ers solely wanted 4 video games to knock out the #6 Brooklyn Nets within the opening spherical.
The 76ers finally revealed that Embiid was affected by a lateral collateral ligament (LCL) sprain.However Shams Charania athletic Embiid’s damage is reported to be extra severe than a grade 1 LCL sprain.
In the course of the common season, the 76ers went 11-5 with out Embiid within the lineup. Within the postseason this yr, the 76ers are 1-0 with out Embiid.
The second-place Boston Celtics and the 76ers meet within the Jap Convention semifinals. The Celtics will host his first two video games of the best-of-seven sequence at dwelling on his court docket. The Celtics wanted him six video games to knock out the troublesome #7 Atlanta Hawks within the opening spherical.
The No. 8 Miami Warmth defeated the No. 1 Milwaukee Bucks within the first spherical, making the Celtics essentially the most remaining seed within the Jap Convention playoffs.
Embiid to start out sequence ‘most likely uncertain’
The primary sport of the convention semifinals begins Monday evening, 11 days after Embiid’s final sport. If he misses Recreation 1 in opposition to the Celtics, he may virtually have two weeks off earlier than Recreation 2 on Wednesday.
The physician checked out him and he did not do something at this time.” Head coach Doc River stated: “If I used to be betting, I’d most likely say not less than the primary sport is questionable, however we’ll see.”
“Embiid’s historical past of enjoying by means of accidents and ache exhibits that it may be fluid as he progresses,” reported Charania. I have been capable of make some private spot-up pictures and it is appreciated day-after-day.”
In 4 of the final 5 postseasons, Embiid has been injured. The one time Embiid was 100% wholesome was within the 2020 playoffs, when the 76ers misplaced within the first spherical. The 76ers have by no means made it previous the convention semifinals in 4 different cases. Embiid’s well being has all led to disappointing leads to 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2022.
Embiid is the primary betting favourite to win the MVP award after shedding to Denver Nuggets middle Nikola Jokic prior to now two seasons. Embiid has led the NBA in scoring this season, averaging 331 factors, 10.2 rebounds and 4.2 assists per sport.
In three playoff video games, Embiid averaged 20.0 factors, 11.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists and a couple of.3 blocks per sport.
Guess on 76ers/Celtics in Recreation 1
The oddsmakers began Recreation 1 with the Celtics because the -6.5 favorites. The factors unfold moved to -9 after a number of retailers reported that Embiid may miss the sequence opener.
The 7ers are the very best betting staff within the NBA this season, together with the playoffs, going 50-34-2 over the unfold. Whereas sweeping the Nets, the 76ers went 3-1 ATS within the first spherical.
The Celtics are the fourth greatest betting staff with an ATS document of 50-38. They went 4-2 ATS within the first spherical in opposition to the Hawks.
In line with DraftKings, the Celtics gained the sequence at -450 odds and are the frontrunners to advance to the Jap Convention Finals. The 76ers are the underdogs profitable the sequence at odds of +350. 5 Thirty Eight We predict the Celtics have a 59% likelihood of profitable the second spherical sequence and the 76ers a 41% likelihood of advancing.
Ahead Jayson Tatum leads the Celtics within the postseason, averaging 27.2 factors, 10.0 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.2 blocks per sport. Guard Jaylen Brown had a sensational opening his spherical averaging 26.7 factors, taking pictures an astounding 51.5% of his 3-point vary.
Level guard Tyrese Maxsey emerged because the 76ers’ high scorer after averaging 21.8 factors within the first spherical and taking pictures an astounding 50% from 3-point vary. Ahead Tobias Harris averaged 20.3 factors and eight.8 rebounds within the sport in opposition to the Nets, however 3 factors over the arc he shot a blazing 57.1%.
Capturing guard James Harden had a quiet opening spherical, however the 76ers did not need to ship any offensive punches as the opposite starters stepped up. Harden is averaging 17.3 factors, 8.8 assists and 1.5 steals per sport. He additionally knocked down his 42.4% of 3-pointers.
Futures Replace: Celtics Outright Betting
The Celtics are the consensus favorites to win the 2022-23 NBA Championship at +120 odds in DraftKings. When the common season ended, the Celtics gained the title at odds of 320 to him, second solely to the Bucks on the NBA Futures Board.
5 Surly Eight We predict the Celtics have a 47% likelihood of reaching the NBA Finals and a 32% likelihood of profitable.
The 76ers’ present profitable odds are +950. That is down from final week’s +75 odds that swept the Nets within the first spherical.
5 Thirty Eight The 76ers have a 31% likelihood of constructing it to the NBA Finals and solely a 20% likelihood of profitable the title.
With solely 4 groups left within the East, the Celtics are back-to-back Jap Convention postseason champions at -225 odds. The 76ers are the second staff on the Convention Futures Board with odds of +425, forward of the New York Knicks (+650) and Miami Warmth (+1000).
