76ers Try to Get Back on Track in Boston

Despite the recent return of Joel Embiid, Philadelphia (34-16 SU, 27-20-3 ATS) has lost three of its last five, including a blowout loss Sunday at home to Memphis. The 76ers look to snap out of their recent slump in Boston, but the Celtics (25-25, 24-26) have covered eight of their last nine home games against Philly.

Sportsbook Odds Analysis

After making the Sixers 5-point favorites for a pair of home games with the Celtics in January, oddsmakers opened Philly as 1.5-point road chalk in this one. The line had trickled down to 1 point at most sportsbooks as of Tuesday morning.

Philadelphia News & Notes

One day after Embiid returned from a 10-game absence to spark a 122-113 win over Minnesota, the 76ers seemed to suffer a letdown Sunday at home against Memphis. Philly trailed the Grizzlies by 26 points through three quarters, going on to lose 116-100.

“I thought it was ugly,” Dwight Howard told the Philadelphia Inquirer. “I really don’t want to look at the film and relive the game.”

In fairness to the Sixers, they may have just been burnt out by playing 10 games without Embiid, then playing back to back at home immediately after returning from a six-game road trip. Still, Philadelphia is just 2-3 SU and 1-4 ATS in its last five games, and we should see a strong sense of urgency from the 76ers to get things back on track tonight.

Embiid’s presence in the lineup will obviously help. The superstar center, who sat out Sunday’s contest to rest his left knee, averaged 40 points per game in Philly’s two wins over the Celtics in January.

Boston News & Notes

Now that the recently acquired Evan Fournier seems to be settling in, the Celtics are looking a lot more balanced offensively than they had been most of the season. Four Boston players had at least 16 points and two more added a dozen in the Celts’ 116-86 romp over the Hornets on Sunday, Boston’s second straight victory after losing seven of its previous 10.

Fournier knocked down four three-pointers and is averaging 15.3 points on 61.1 percent shooting since his scoreless 0-for-10 Boston debut last week against the Pelicans. Jayson Tatum led Boston with 22 points while Jaylen Brown — who scored 42 points the last time he faced the 76ers — recorded his 10th straight outing with at least 17 points.

As efficient as Boston’s offense has been the last two games, coach Brad Stevens seems even more excited about the team’s defense. The Celtics have not allowed more than 115 points in six straight games, going UNDER in five of those six contests. Boston has also gone UNDER in five straight at TD Garden.

Betting Pick: UNDER 223

Philadelphia has gone UNDER in six of its last eight games and should focus on cleaning up the defensive end to get back on track.