The Philadelphia 76ers may be in trouble in the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Boston Celtics.
Prospective quarterback Joel Embiid, who missed Game 4 of the team’s series against the Brooklyn Nets with a knee injury, is a doubt in Monday’s Game 1 against the Celtics, according to Sixers coach Doc Rivers.
Embiid’s condition changed Game 1 odds and Series odds in Boston’s favour. If Embiid can’t make a comeback early in the series, Philly’s chances of winning an NBA title will take a 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 Embiid will miss the contest. The Celtics have won by nine, seven and three points against Philly this season.
Sixers Series Odds vs. Celtics
After opening at -330 to win the series, Boston moved to -370 with Embiid in doubt for Game 1.
The Celtics would have been favored even if Embiid had been healthy, but his knee injury resulted in odds makers giving Boston an implied probability of 78.72 percent to win the series.
During the regular season, Boston went 3-1 against Philly, and only lost on April 4, by two points, when Jaylen Brown was sidelined with an injury.
There is serious cause for concern for Philly, as Boston is a much tougher opponent than the Brooklyn Nets. Paul Reed will likely start for the Sixers at center if Embiid can’t go, an advantage for Boston and Robert Williams III.
If the Sixers want to turn this series around, especially in Game 1, they’ll need Tyrese Maxey, Tobias Harris, and James Harden to play at a very high level.
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The game odds are updated periodically and are subject to change.