Simply probably the most confounding collection on this 12 months’s NBA postseason has been the Jap Convention semifinal conflict between the Celtics and 76ers, who’re tied at 2-2 heading into Tuesday’s pivotal Sport 5.
James Harden has been the shock star for the Sixers, who stole Video games 1 and 4 in dramatic style behind 40-plus level performances from the previous MVP.
But oddsmakers count on Boston star Jayson Tatum to steer all scorers in Sport 5, even after his capturing struggles thus far within the collection.
Right here’s how we’re betting on the participant props marketplace for Tuesday’s contest, which ideas off at 7:30 p.m. ET on TNT.
Celtics vs. 76ers participant prop odds, finest bets
(by way of BetMGM)
- Jayson Tatum O/U 28.5 factors (beneath -120)
- James Harden O/U 21.5 factors (beneath -120)
Celtics vs. 76ers participant prop picks, predictions, evaluation
Jayson Tatum beneath 28.5 factors (-120)
After a scintillating 2022 playoff run wherein he introduced himself as a real celebrity, Tatum hasn’t fairly had the identical juice on this 12 months’s postseason.
The Celtics’ main scorer within the common season (30.1 PPG) has seen his scoring tempo drop by greater than 4 factors within the playoffs (26 PPG).
He scored simply 24 factors in Sport 4, when he missed his first eight pictures earlier than heating up throughout the second half and extra time.
It nonetheless wasn’t sufficient to steer his staff to victory, and it marked his third consecutive recreation under this scoring prop complete.
And whereas he performed simply 19 minutes in his stunning 7-point output in Sport 2, there’s some slight threat of an identical consequence on Tuesday, too, in a contest that oddsmakers are pricing as a possible blowout.
I’d count on the Celtics to run rather more of their offense via Jaylen Brown in Sport 5 – 99% of bets are on the over for his factors complete (24.5) – as he’s been just about non-existent down the stretch on this collection.
That alone is a worthwhile motive to fade Tatum’s scoring prop right here, however his personal struggles from the sphere make it that a lot simpler.
James Harden over 21.5 factors (-115)
Earlier than this collection started, just about nobody anticipated Harden to drop 45 factors in a playoff recreation at this level in his profession.
And as soon as he did, it was virtually a on condition that he couldn’t do it once more.
But right here we’re, two days faraway from his 42-point epic in Sport 4, and the betting market stays totally dismissive of Harden’s potential to achieve even half of that complete in a vital Sport 5.
Are we so certain that the previous MVP can’t muster some scoring magic as soon as once more?
Sure, Harden’s shot ran chilly in Video games 2 and three, however he was additionally extra aggressive as a long-range shooter in Video games 1 and 4 – which ought to clearly be his method as soon as once more on Tuesday.
Betting on the NBA?
That’s very true if Joel Embiid (34 factors) can proceed drawing consideration inside, like he did to arrange Harden’s game-winning shot on Sunday.
Even when standard knowledge says to fade Harden right here, this quantity is simply too low to disregard, particularly in a street atmosphere that begs for him and Embiid to do the heavy lifting.
I’ll gladly guess over on this low complete and sprinkle a bit of on Harden to steer all scorers (+800), as effectively.
