Game 5 NBA Playoffs Prediction: Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics

Monday, May 21, 2012

Frank Martin

The series is now a best-of-3 as the Boston Celtics host the Philadelphia 76ers in Monday’s Game 5. Philadelphia evened the series at 2-2 by rallying from 18 points down in the third quarter to win Friday’s Game 4 and reignite talk of notching a second-round upset.

The 76ers have recovered from double-digit deficits to win three times this postseason. Boston’s aging group has been up-and-down in the postseason with multiple key players battling injuries.

- Philadelphia 76ers @ Boston Celtics
When: 7:00 PM ET, Monday, May 21, 2012
Where: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
TV: 7 p.m. ET, TNT

The Celtics have opened as 5-point favorites on SBG Global Sportsbook’s Live NBA Basketball Odds.

Philadelphia 76ers : Reserve guard Lou Williams showed some life by averaging 14 points in the two games in Philadelphia, but he didn’t fare well in the earlier two games in Boston. Williams averaged 8.5 points and shot 29.2 percent in Boston. Veteran Andre Iguodala had 16 points in Game 4 and hit the go-ahead basket with 1:22 remaining in the 92-83 victory. Iguodala is averaging 14.5 points in the series. Post players Spencer Hawes (4.7 scoring average over the past three games) and Elton Brand (4.3 in the series) have been major disappointments as rookie Lavoy Allen (8.5 points, 6.5 rebounds) has been Philadelphia’s most reliable inside player.

Boston Celtics : Forward Paul Pierce has put together back-to-back 24-point outings while playing on an injured left knee. Things aren’t going as well for injured guards Ray Allen (knee) and Avery Bradley (shoulder). Allen has just eight total points over the last two games after averaging 14.5 over the first two games. Bradley had his injured left shoulder pop out during Game 4 for the second time during the series and could require surgery after the playoffs ends. He is averaging just six points in the series. “Listen,” coach Doc Rivers said. “It’s a tough thing that he’s going through. A lot of players would not be playing.”

1. Boston forward Kevin Garnett finally had a poor offensive game in Game 4, tallying just nine points on 3-for-12 shooting. Garnett was averaging 24.8 points in his previous four games.

2. Philadelphia’s bench outscored Boston 44-12 in Game 4.

3. Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo has reached double digits in assists in all four games and is averaging 14.8 for the series.

NBA BASKETBALL PREDICTION: Celtics 88, 76ers 86

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andre iguodala - avery bradley - boston celtics - doc rivers - elton brand - kevin garnett - lavoy allen - lou williams - paul pierce - philadelphia 76ers

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