I’m going to take the Sixers in this one, currently listed as 5-point home favourites over the Celtics. Boston have started the season relatively well, but I believe their injuries and Covid related absences will prove too much here.
Philly is still one of the premier home sides in the NBA, compiling a 7-1 straight up and 5-3 ATS record thus far. They’ve got most of their rotation players available here, with Seth Curry being the sole notable absence.
Boston have been hit hard by the Covid bug and will be without key pieces in Tatum and Robert Williams here. Kemba Walker also just returned from injury last time out and will be on a minutes limit. I’m expecting a big performance from Embiid here, one which is hopefully enough for Philly to win and cover.
I like the look of the Raptors here, currently laying 3.5 points as home favourites against Miami. Toronto have really picked things up of late, winning each of their last 3 games on this extended home stand.
They’ve gotten a great chance to rest up and enter this clash with all of their key rotation players available. Miami’s injury report looks like a mess right now, with Jimmy Butler confirmed out due to Covid protocols. Meyers Leonard has also been ruled out, with both Dragic and Hero as questionable.
These are all key injuries for a Heat team that has gone just 1-4 straight up and ATS on the road this season. I think these two teams are trending in opposite directions and Toronto manages to get the job done at this relatively small number.