As this is being written the Boston Celtics are leading Milwaukee and if they hang on they will be entering this contest just a half a game behind the division leading Philadelphia. \u00a0 <\/p>\n
Boston Celtics (24-21) vs Philadelphia 76ers (26-21) Matchup<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Preview<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Boston<\/strong><\/p>\n I am not sure if Boston is a team that can really do damage in the playoffs but I wouldn\u2019t want to be the team that has to try and put them away.<\/p>\n The Celtics might be gassed for this one with it being a back to back and their eighth straight road tilt.<\/p>\n As the season progresses forward Kevin Garnett seems to be rounding into form. \u00a0He is the Celts leading rebounder and his offense has been more consistent lately. \u00a0Boston is going to lean on him even more as Jermaine O\u2019Neal\u2019s injury thins out their frontcourt option.<\/p>\n The Celtics want to win but they might be mentally checked out of this one and if they get down early coach Doc Rivers might just rest some of his players for another day.<\/p>\n Philadelphia<\/strong><\/p>\n This is an interesting situation for Philadelphia. \u00a0[soliloquy id=”82219″]<\/p>\n Sure they are in first place but nobody is thinking much of these guys. \u00a0Friday they have the surging Celts in their house who have to be winded from an extraordinarily long road trip.<\/p>\n Philadelphia has been slumping (losing 4 of their last 5) but they have to jump all over the older Celtics \u00a0Friday night. \u00a0If they can\u2019t win this one they will exit the playoffs meekly a few weeks from now. \u00a0Count on it.<\/p>\n I know the record is solid but I just don\u2019t like the way this team is put together.<\/p>\n This team lacks a real star and their leading scorer is just 5th in minutes played per game. \u00a0This is the best defensive team in the league but they should really package some players together to get a scorer.<\/p>\n Without that kind of presence I don\u2019t see this team going far even though defense is critical in the playoffs.<\/p>\n
\nFriday March 23
\nComcast Center – Philadelphia, PA
\n8:00PM
\nMoneyline: \u00a0No money line currently listed
\nSpread: \u00a0Philadelphia -6.5
\nO\/U: \u00a0179.5<\/strong><\/p>\n