The Philadelphia 76ers may be in trouble in the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Boston Celtics.
Potential MVP Joel Embiid, who missed Game 4 of the team’s series against the Brooklyn Nets with a knee injury, is doubtful for Monday’s Game 1 against the Celtics, according to Sixers head coach Doc Rivers.
Embiid’s status has changed the odds for Game 1 and the series odds in favor of Boston. If Embiid isn’t able to return early in the series, Philly’s chances of winning an NBA title are going to take a massive hit.
Sixers vs. Celtics odds, spread and total for Game 1
Boston has now moved to a nine-point favorite in this game, a sign that Embiid is going to miss the contest. The Celtics have wins of nine, seven and three points against Philly this season.
Sixers vs. Celtics series odds
After opening at -330 to win this series, Boston has moved to -370 with Embiid’s status for Game 1 in doubt.
The Celtics were going to be favored even if Embiid was healthy, but his knee injury has led to oddsmakers giving Boston an implied probability of 78.72 percent that it wins this series.
During the regular season, Boston went 3-1 against Philly, only losing on April 4, by two points, when Jaylen Brown sat out due to injury.
There’s a serious cause for concern for Philly, as Boston is a much tougher opponent than the Brooklyn Nets. Paul Reed will likely get the start for the Sixers at center if Embiid can’t go, which is an advantage for Boston and Robert Williams III.
If the Sixers want to flip this series, especially in Game 1, they’re going to need Tyrese Maxey, Tobias Harris and James Harden to play at an extremely high level.
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Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.