NBA Opening night (10/18)
76ers +4.5 at Celtics – 2 units
Robert Williams is having surgery for his torn meniscus and he’s going to be out to start the season. The Celtics could use him to help Horford defend Embiid and Embiid is going to draw a lot of double teams in this game which will free up shots for Maxey, Tobias Harris and Harden. The Sixers got better by adding PJ Tucker and he can defend Tatum or Jaylen Brown. They also added De’Anthony Melton and Danuel House to give them guard depth and that’s something they didn’t have off the bench last season. Harden had a full offseason to train which he didn’t have last year with the injury and he should have a better season especially with a chip on his shoulder. Boston added Malcom Brogdon but that doesn’t help with defending Embiid. The way that the Celtics lost in the Finals last year after coming so close leaves the possibility of a slight hangover to start the season and now a report came out last night that Ime Udoka might face an in-house suspension for sleeping with someone in the Celtics organization. Boston’s going to be very good again but there’s a few variables going against the Celtics early this season and the Sixers will come into this season hungry. The Celtics also embarrassed the Sixers 135-87 in Philly the last time they played and the Sixers are 3-0 ATS the last 3 games in Boston. The Sixers should be sharp on opening night to start the season.
