Boston vs. Philadelphia

A pair of longtime rivals in the Eastern Conference clash in this series, and both play tough defense. Boston was second in the league during the regular season in points allowed and fourth in field goal shooting defense. Up 2-0 in the series, they will lean on that great defense again as Gordon Hayward will miss the rest of the series with a sprained ankle. The Celtics have excellent depth and are 23-10 ATS versus winning teams, plus 30-18 ATS against teams that average 23 or more assists per game. And they are 22-7 UNDER the First Half total in playoff games, as well as 37-17 UNDER the First Half total against division opponents. Philadelphia was sixth during the regular season in points allowed, but the offense is without All-Star Ben Simmons, who is out for the season with a knee injury. The 76ers have focused defenders on attacking Boston's high-scoring players, but the offense is struggling, making a total of 14 threes in two games. Philly is 8-17 ATS away from home against winning teams, so back Boston in what will be a defensive first half with so much at stake. Play Boston and the First Half UNDER the total.