NBA Conference Semi-Finals

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Developing Stories 📰

Game 1 Celtics vs. 76ers:

The Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics will renew a classic playoff rivalry as they face off in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at the TD Garden. The 76ers swept the Brooklyn Nets 4-0 in the quarterfinals but suffered a major loss when Joel Embiid suffered a significant knee injury in Game 3. Ultimately, they won Game 1 and Game 2 handily. But they took Game 3 by a 102-97 margin while losing Embiid. Finally, they defeated the Nets 96-88 in Game 4 without Embiid. They have had eight days to prepare for this game, knowing they will not have Embiid for the first two games. The Celtics beat the Atlanta Hawks 4-2 in the quarterfinals. Initially, they dominated the first two games by winning 112-99 and 119-106, respectively. The Celtics lost 130-122 in Game 3 but won 129-121 in Game 4. However, they fell 119-117 in Game 5, setting up a road matchup in Game 6. But the Celtics closed out the series with a 128-120 victory on the road. The 76ers are in the semifinals for the third season in a row. However, they have lost seven semifinal matchups in a row and have not advanced past this round since the 2000-2001 season. The Celtics are in the semifinals for the second season in a row and sixth time in seven seasons. Significantly, they have advanced past this round in two of the last three seasons. The Sixers and Celtics have faced off in the playoffs 14 times in their history. Amazingly, the Celtics have won 10 of those series and are 62-47 against the 76ers in their history.

Game 2 Suns vs. Nuggets:

The will Phoenix Suns attempt to recover as they play the Denver Nuggets in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals. The Nuggets destroyed the Suns 125-107 in Game 1. The game started on even foundation with the teams early. The Nuggets ramped it up in the second quarter as they blasted the Suns to create a 17-point halftime lead. Ultimately, the Suns cut the deficit to 13 but could not do any further damage in the fourth quarter. Jamaal Murray led the Nuggets with 34 points, including six 3-pointers. Nikola Jokic had 24 points and 19 rebounds. Aaron Gordon added 23 points. Meanwhile, Bruce Brown added 14 points off the bench. Kevin Durant led the Suns with 29 points. Additionally, Devin Booker added 27 points. Deandre Ayton had 14 points. Also, Chris Paul added 11 points. But the bench struggled, shooting 8 for 21. The Suns shot 51.2 percent from the field, but only 30.4 percent from the triples. They made 82.4 percent from the free-throw line. But the Nuggets shot 47.5 percent from the field, including 43.2 percent of their 3-pointers. The Nuggets won the battle of the boards 49-38. Additionally, they had 14 steals compared to the four the Suns had. The Nuggets only needed to block one shot. Ultimately, the Suns turned the ball over 16 times.

Headlines 🚨

On this day in sport history: 1920 legendary slugger, Babe Ruth records his first HR for the New York Yankees in 6-0 win over his former club, the Boston Red Sox.

Broncos pick up WR Jerry Jeudy's 5th-year rookie option.

Stephen Curry's 50 sets game 7 record as Warriors eliminate Kings.

Doc Rivers: Joel Embiid likely doubtful for G1 vs. Celtics.

The Bills added a veteran presence to the team's running backs room, signing Latavius Murray to a one-year deal just two days after the 2023 Draft.

The NFL is targeting May 11 as the date to release its 2023 schedule.

The #2 men’s basketball commit Ron Holland decommits from Texas and reopens his recruitment.

The Calgary Flames announced Monday they have fired coach Darryl Sutter after three seasons.

The Kraken became the first expansion team to defeat the reigning Stanley Cup champs in their inaugural playoff series.

A Texas A&M-Texarkana baseball player was struck by a stray bullet during a game, had emergency surgery and is in stable condition.

Trends 📈📉 via Oddsshark

🏀 76ers at Celtics

  • Philadelphia is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games

  • Philadelphia is 5-0-1 ATS in its last 6 games

  • Boston is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Philadelphia

  • Boston is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games at home

🏀 Suns at Nuggets

  • The total has gone OVER in 10 of Phoenix's last 12 games on the road

  • Phoenix is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games

  • Denver is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home

  • Denver is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games

🏒 Rangers at Devils

  • NY Rangers is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against New Jersey

  • The total has gone OVER in 17 of NY Rangers's last 23 games when playing on the road against New Jersey

  • The total has gone OVER in 4 of New Jersey's last 5 games at home

  • New Jersey is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games at home

⚾️ Braves at Mets

  • Atlanta is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing NY Mets

  • Atlanta is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing NY Mets

  • The total has gone UNDER in 6 of NY Mets's last 7 games at home

  • The total has gone OVER in 8 of NY Mets's last 11 games when playing at home against Atlanta

⚾️ Guardians at Yankees

  • The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Cleveland's last 6 games on the road

  • The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Cleveland's last 6 games

  • The total has gone UNDER in 8 of NY Yankees's last 9 games at home

  • NY Yankees is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Cleveland

⚾️ Cubs at Nationals

  • Chi Cubs is 8-2 ATS in its last 10 games on the road

  • The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games when playing at home against Chi Cubs

  • The total has gone OVER in 6 of Washington's last 8 games when playing Chi Cubs

⚾️ Blue Jays at Red Sox

  • Toronto is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Boston

  • Toronto is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Boston

  • The total has gone OVER in 6 of Boston's last 7 games when playing Toronto

  • The total has gone OVER in 5 of Boston's last 7 games at home

⚾️ Giants at Astros

  • The total has gone UNDER in 4 of San Francisco's last 5 games on the road

  • The total has gone UNDER in 4 of San Francisco's last 6 games

  • Houston is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against San Francisco

  • The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Houston's last 6 games

⚾️ Reds at Padres

  • Cincinnati is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games

  • The total has gone OVER in 4 of Cincinnati's last 5 games when playing San Diego

  • San Diego is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Cincinnati

  • San Diego is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Cincinnati

⚾️ Phillies at Dodgers

  • Philadelphia is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against LA Dodgers

  • Philadelphia is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games

  • The total has gone OVER in 4 of LA Dodgers's last 5 games when playing at home against Philadelphia

  • LA Dodgers is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home

Public Money 🤑 via VSiN at 9AMCT

⚾️ MLB

24% of bets and 59% of money is on NYM +190 (G1)

60% of bets and 80% of money is on ATL -120 (G2)

38% of bets and 62% of money is on OVER 9 ATL at NYM (G2)

44% of bets and 82% of money is on UNDER 8.5 CHC at WSH

30% of bets and 60% of money is on BOS +130

51% of bets and 88% of money is on OVER 10 TOR at BOS

36% of bets and 67% of money is on UNDER 8.5 SF at HOU

38% of bets and 67% of money is on UNDER 8.5 CIN at SD

69% of bets and 85% of money is on OVER PHI at LAD

Future Odds 🔮 via Bovada Sportsbook

Injury Report 🏥 via ESPN

BOS (PF) Danilo Gallinari | Out - Knee

PHI (C) Joel Embiid | Doubtful - Knee

Weekend Picks 🔒

Suns +4.5 | This will be the game that Phoenix will be looking to steal. I fully expect Williams and the Suns to make some adjustments that should keep this game closer.

76ers/Celtics Over 213.5 | The Celtics went over in their last 4 games against the Hawks, scoring 122, 129, 117 and 128 points. Both teams ranked top-3 in offensive rating during the regular season as well, so efficiency will be key which should aid consistent scoring.