Stadium: Staples Center.
Game 5. The score in the series is 2-2.
Philadelphia were very confident in the first half of the fourth game of the series with Atlanta, but after the big break having relaxed, allowed the opponent to turn the game over and restore the balance of power. Will the 76ers manage to take the lead again at the end of Game 5? Let’s pick a few bets on the upcoming meeting.
Philadelphia gave their opponent a game they had already won
The previous game of the series in Atlanta was very easy for Philadelphia. It seemed like Doc Rivers’ team had already solved all the issues in the game and the series, finishing the first half with a +13 difference, although it could have been +20. But in the third quarter, the Hawks got their offence going, but apparently, the 76ers believed in an easy win that they could not score back. The final score was 100-103. Instead of 3-1, the series went to 2-2. It all started again.
Overall, Philadelphia certainly seem a far more balanced and potent team than Atlanta. The problem, however, may be the frankly poor physicality of Joel Embiid, who is finding it increasingly difficult to maintain his high level of basketball due to injury. In Game 4, the Cameroonian centre had 17 points and 20 rebounds, but only 4 of 20 from the field. Will Philadelphia manage to win the series with Embiid?
Atlanta got money’s worth 2 years ago
It looked rather odd to trade Luka Doncic for Trae Young in the 2018 draft. However, the Hawks appear to have been right. The Slovenian was again eliminated in the first round of the playoffs, is still no good at the ends and is more focused on arguing with the refs than getting the team up and running on the court in the deciding games. Young, on the other hand, has shown himself to be a real leader in the current playoffs, not only during the first quarter but also in the closing stages. What’s most surprising is that for Young, this is the first postseason of his career.
It was Young who was the creator of Atlanta’s Game 4 comeback. In all, the point guard had 25 points and as many as 18 assists in just 2 losses in that game. Phenomenal numbers!
Expert Betting Tips
By and large, the 76ers did hand over a match they had already won. Doc Rivers’ team simply had to take the game before yesterday in Atlanta to victory. As cool as Trae Young looked, it’s still his first playoff appearance, which won’t allow him to be consistent throughout the postseason. Young will likely have a faded matchup behind a bright one, with Philadelphia taking the series lead. The prediction is a solid win for Philadelphia.
Betting options:
- Philadelphia to win with a handicap (-6.0) for 1.82;
- Atlanta’s Individual Total Under 108.5 for 1.90;
- Philadelphia to win and Total Under 224.5 for 2.45.