Philadelphia 76ers (0-0) at Boston Celtics (0-0)
Sunday, April 19, 2026
1:00 PM ET
First Round Game #1 Home Game #1
TV: ABC
Radio: 98.5 Sports Hub, 97.5 Fanatic, Sirius XM
TD Garden
Officials: Scott Foster, Pat Fraher, Tre Maddox

The Boston Celtics and the Philadelphia 76ers meet in the playoffs for the 23rd time, which includes Philly’s time as the Syracuse Nationals in the 50’s and early 60’s. This is the most for any 2 teams in the league. The Celtics lead all time with 15 wins to 7 for the 76ers and they have won the last 6 series against Philly. The last time the 76ers beat the Celtics in the playoffs was in the Eastern Conference Finals in 1982 when the Beat LA chant was born as Celtics fans urged the 76ers to beat the hated Lakers.

The Celtics have won all 3 series that have been played in the Brown/Tatum era, winning in 2018, 2020 and 2023. The Celtics are 212-199 overall, all time against the 76ers. They are 157-58 all time in games played in Boston. These two teams tied the series 2-2 this season. The 76ers won 117-116 on opening night, October 22 in Boston and they won again 102-100 in Philadelphia on November 11. The Celtics won 109-108 in Philadelphia on October 31 and again 114-98 in Boston on March 1.

Three of the games this season came before November 12 when the Celtics were just 5-7 and 11th in the league. They were just getting used to all the new players at that time while the 76ers brought back mostly the same team and were already used to playing together. The 76ers were 7-4 at that time. Philadelphia’s 2 wins were by a total of 3 points. The Celtics first win in October was by 1 point, but their March 1 win was by a total of 16 points.

Three of the 4 matches between the Celtics and 76ers this season were decided by 2 points or less. The Celtics need to avoid close games down the stretch in these playoffs if they can help it. The 76ers had the #1 clutch defense in the NBA this season. They had a 98.6 defensive rating during the last 5 minutes of games that were within 5 points. They were 23-18 in games that included clutch minutes. The Celtics were 16-17 in games that included clutch minutes and that includes going 1-2 against Philadelphia this season.

We can’t take a lot from those regular season games to predict how this game, or this series, will go. First, the Celtics did not have Jayson Tatum for any of the 4 games. Also, Philly didn’t have Paul George for any of the 4 games and they didn’t have Embiid for the November 11 and March 1 games. They will be missing Embiid for this game but Paul George will be a key player for them in this series and gives them a defender with size to put up against Tatum and Brown.

The Celtics come into this game with a clean injury report. After having 8 players sit out their final game of the season, the Celtics have no players listed on their injury report at this time. For the 76ers, Joel Embiid is the only player on their injury report. Embiid underwent an appendectomy on April 9. Recovery for an appendectomy is anywhere from 20 days to 5 weeks. We know that he will miss at least the first part of the series and the Celtics need to take advantage and win while he is out. I’m guessing that Adem Bona will start at center.

Probable Starting Matchups
PG: Derrick White vs Tyrese Maxey

SG: Jaylen Brown vs VJ Edgecombe

SF: Sam Hauser vs Kelly Oubre, Jr

PF: Jayson Tatum vs Paul George

C: Neemias Queta vs Adem Bona

Celtics Reserves
Payton Pritchard
Hugo Gonzalez
Luka Garza
Amare Williams
Baylor Scheierman
Max Shulga
Nikola Vucevic
Ron Harper, Jr
Delano Banton
John Tonje

2-Way Players
None

Injuries/Out
None

Head Coach
Joe Mazzulla

76ers Reserves
Andre Drummond
Quentin Grimes
Kyle Lowry
Justin Edwards
Trendon Watford
Dalen Terry
Dominick Barlow
Jabari Walker

2-Way Players
MarJon Beauchamp
Tyrese Martin

Injuries/Out
Joel Embiid (Appendix) out

Head Coach
Nick Nurse

Key Matchups
Derrick White vs Tyrese Maxey
In the regular season, Maxey averaged 28.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game while shooting 46.2% from the field and 36.7% from beyond the arc. In the 4 games against the Celtics this season, he averaged 30 points, 4.5 rebounds, 8.8 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.3 blocks while shooting 41.8% from the field and 51.4% from beyond the arc. Maxey’s speed makes him hard to defend, but 4 Celtics have had success in guarding him this season. Against Pritchard, he scored 13 points in 55 possessions. Against White, he scored 19 points in 49 possessions. Against Scheierman, he scored 8 points in 44 possessions and against Walsh, he scored 4 points in 33 possessions. Among the 4, hopefully the Celtics can keep Maxey in check.

Jayson Tatum vs Paul George 
In the regular season, George averaged 17.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.6 assists while shooting 43.9% from the field and 39.2% from beyond the arc.  Neither of these players were able to play in any of the 4 games between Boston and Philly this season.  George gives the 76ers a 2-way player with the size and ability to guard Jayson Tatum.  But that goes both ways because Tatum can also guard George and is a better rebounder. 

Honorable Mention
Jaylen Brown vs Vj Edgecomb
Edgecombe will likely come in 3rd for Rookie of the Year.  He averaged 16.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game while shooting 43.8% from the field and 35.4% from beyond the arc.  In the 4 games against the Celtics this season, he averaged 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists while shooting 43.5% from the field and 41.2% from beyond the arc.  The Celtics need to be ready for him and defend him both in the paint and on the perimeter. 

Keys to the Game
Defense – As always, defense is a key to winning this, and every, game.  Defense wins championships.  In the first 20 games of the season, the Celtics were 18th on defense.  In the 2nd 20 games, they ranked 12th.  In the next16 games,  they had the 3rd best defense.  Overall, they are 4th with a defensive rating of 111.7.  The 76ers are 17th with a defensive rating of 114.4.  The Celtics must play tough lock down defense in this game if they want to beat the 76ers.

Rebound – Rebounding is also one of the biggest keys to winning every game. As Pat Riley once said, “No rebounds, no rings.  The Celtics are 3rd in the league with 46.4 rebounds per game.  The 76ers are 17th with 43.6 rebounds per game. The Celtics are 43-12  in games that they tie or out-rebound opponents.  They are just 11-13 in games tin which they are out-rebounded. They simply have to fight harder to grab rebounds than the 76ers.   Every Celtic has got to crash the boards and fight for every rebound.   

Move the Ball Carefully – The Celtics need to move the ball and find the open man. They play their best when they share the ball and keep it moving.  They were 36-2 this season when they had more than 25 assists in a game.  They were 35-0 this season when they had more assists than their opponent.  Both the Celtics and 76ers average 24.6 assists per game.  However, the Celtics need to make careful passes and limit turnovers.  They also have to be aware while dribbling and not drive into a crowd or allow a defender to steal the ball since the 76ers average 19 points off turnovers per game. 

Be Aggressive and Stay Focused – The Celtics need to be the more aggressive team.  They have to play physical defense and they have to be more aggressive in going for rebounds and loose balls and getting to the basket, especially if their 3’s aren’t falling.  Usually the more aggressive team gets the benefit of the calls and being more aggressive will help to fluster the 76ers.  They also have to stay focused on on playing the right way.  Move the ball, look for the open man,  take good shots, play physical defense, and fight for rebounds. 

X-Factors
Home Game – Teams play all season to secure home court in the playoffs.  The Celtics need to feed off the energy of the crowd and hopefully, the 76ers will be distracted by travel and the hostile crowd.   The Celtics should play harder to win on their home court.  Losing Game 1 at home is a major setback, historically giving the home team only about a 58-61% chance to win the series.  However, when they win Game 1 at home, they go on to win the series about 84.8% of the time.  The Celtics need to protect home court and keep their home court advantage. 

Coaching – Joe Mazzulla is in his 4th season as Celtics’ head coach.  He won a title in 2024 with a very talented team that was packed with shooting stars.  Now he has to win in a different way since his personnel has changed and he did a great job in the regular season.   Nick Nurse is in his 8th season as a head coach overall and his 3rd as the 76ers head coach.  He won a title with the Raptors in 2019.  The 76ers returned their core this season and added a very talented lottery pick and so Nurse has a lot to prove with this team.

Officiating – Officiating is always an x-factor.  Every crew calls  the game differently.  Some call it tight and call every bit of contact while others allow more physical play.  Some favor the home team while others call both sides evenly.  Refs usually allow a little more go in the playoffs but not always. The Celtics have to adjust to the way the refs are calling the game and not allow the no calls and bad calls to affect their focus on playing the game. 

Who will be crowned NBA champions for the 2025-26 season? That's the question basketball fans are looking forward to finding out as the playoffs officially got underway on Saturday, April 18.

But for those who can't wait until the Finals are over in mid-June, we have some clues.

USA TODAY Sports simulated each series of this year's playoff bracket 100 different times to come up with an idea of the most likely outcomes.

Starting with ESPN's Basketball Power Index figures, we built an engine with Microsoft Copilot that ran all 100 simulations at once. And here are the results.

Want to get more Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account here.

Victor Wembanyama and Scoot Henderson were the supposed jewels of the 2023 NBA Draft. Three years later, they meet in their playoff debuts after very different paths to this point.

Wembanayma and the San Antonio Spurs look like title contenders for the next decade, while Henderson and the Portland Trail Blazers are quite possibly already stuck on the proverbial treadmill of mediocrity.

My Trail Blazers vs. Spurs predictions and these NBA picks trust Wembanyama to deliver in his postseason debut on Sunday, April 19.

Trail Blazers vs Spurs prediction

Who will win Trail Blazers vs Spurs Game 1?

Spurs: The San Antonio Spurs should focus on wrapping up this series quickly if they dream of a long postseason run. The specter of the Denver Nuggets in the second round, or even the Minnesota Timberwolves, should worry the Spurs enough to emphasize rest and recovery before the second round.

Expect a sweep in this series, beginning with a Game 1 win by the home team.

Trail Blazers vs Spurs best bet: Victor Wembanyama Over 27.5 points (-115)

Welcome to the playoffs, Victor Wembanyama. Debuting as a No. 2 seed is already an impressive accomplishment from the young San Antonio Spurs superstar, not that he does not have grander ambitions in mind.

While the 7-foot-4 Frenchman is a difficult matchup for every team in the NBA, he should be particularly frustrating for the Portland Trail Blazers. At 7-foot-2 and 280 pounds, Donovan Clingan is a massive human being, but he's not quite quick or agile enough to defend Wembanyama outside the paint.

Unfortunately for us, Wembanyama never actually played against the Trail Blazers this season, missing all three of those games for various reasons, but this presumption still holds up to scrutiny.

He should get a pile of open looks from deep in this matchup, and shooting 34.9% this season from beyond the arc justifies every one of those attempts.

Wembanyama started showing postseason form before the regular season ended, clearing this prop in four of his final five games. In fact, he scored 40+ points in three of those.

The playoffs may need to brace for Victor Wembanyama.

Trail Blazers vs Spurs same-game parlay

Clingan has all the looks of a 15-year contributor in the NBA. He may never be All-NBA, but he is a legitimate player. Yet, his playoff debut may be one to forget simply because of Victor Wembanyama’s two-way influence.

Perhaps Wembanyama’s focus will wane in this first round, but that should not come on either end of the court in Game 1.

Trail Blazers vs Spurs SGP

• Victor Wembanyama Over 27.5 points
• Victor Wembanyama Over 1.5 threes
• Donovan Clingan Under 10.5 points

Our "from downtown" SGP: Portland's Puncher's Chance

Portland's best hope of remaining competitive in both this series and particularly this Game 1 is to slow down the pace. Portland has been off since Tuesday’s win in the Play-In Tournament, but it still had to get to San Antonio and prep for the Spurs.

With the clear talent disadvantage, taking some air out of the ball will increase the variance and give Portland at least a puncher’s chance.

Trail Blazers vs Spurs SGP

• Victor Wembanyama Over 27.5 Points
• Trail Blazers +11
• Under 221

Trail Blazers vs Spurs odds for Game 1

• Spread: Trail Blazers +11 | Spurs -11
• Moneyline: Trail Blazers +450 | Spurs -600
• Over/Under: Over 221 | Under 221

Trail Blazers vs Spurs betting trend to know

The Trail Blazers have gone 6-2 ATS in their last eight games, exceeding bookmakers’ expectations by an average of 6.3 points even when including the two ATS losses. Find more NBA betting trends for Trail Blazers vs. Spurs.

How to watch Trail Blazers vs Spurs Game 1

Trail Blazers vs Spurs latest injuries

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

When the decibel level inside Crypto.com Arena surpasses 100 dB, you typically know which superstar caused it. 

Maybe Luka Doncic just hit a one-legged 3 as he fell into the first row. 

Maybe LeBron James just threw down a thunderous one-handed slam off the fast break. 

Maybe Austin Reaves just broke a defender’s ankles with a crossover and hit a fadeaway jumper plus the foul. 

But on Saturday night for Game 1 of the NBA playoffs between the Rockets and the Lakers, the noise was for someone else, someone nobody expected. 

It was for Luke Kennard. 

Kennard is the type of player that most teams treat like a luxury, not a lifeline. But without Doncic and Reaves, Kennard had the Lakers looking organized and dangerous. 

Kennard didn’t just step into a bigger role in the Lakers’ 107-98 Game 1 win over the Rockets. He hijacked the entire premise of this series. Houston came in expecting to load up on LeBron and dare other Lakers players to beat them. 

Kennard didn’t just accept the dare. He embarrassed it. 

“That was my matchup, and he went off; I gotta be better than that,” said Rockets forward Amen Thompson, one of the NBA’s best defenders who was tasked with guarding Kennard in Game 1. 

Kennard torched the Rockets for 27 points. He was 5-for-5 from beyond the arc. He achieved a milestone in the process, becoming the third player in franchise playoff history to hit 100% from deep on five or more attempts, joining Robert Horry (1997) and Byron Scott (1991). 

Luke Kennard.

COOKING.

He's got 24 points on 8-11 shooting… a new playoff career high! pic.twitter.com/wcDgRlzS6O

— NBA (@NBA) April 19, 2026

It was also the second-most points scored by a player in their Lakers playoff debut.

“I like that he was invested in shooting 3s. He played a fantastic basketball game,” coach JJ Redick said. “He was really aggressive tonight.”

Aggressive is the right word. But incomplete.

Kennard wasn’t just aggressive — he was decisive. There’s a difference, and it matters in the playoffs. Aggression can be reckless. Decisiveness is controlled. 

And for a Lakers team that has spent the last two weeks searching for an offensive identity without its top two scorers, Kennard provided the clarity they’ve been missing. 

The Lakers’ offense, led by Kennard and James, was methodical in its approach. They were intentional and efficient. They ran the plays they wanted and hit the shots they created. 

“I thought we executed very well,” Kennard said after the win. “We stayed poised and organized throughout that entire game.”

For Kennard, he’s had to adapt to his role changing on the fly. Acquired at the trade deadline from the Hawks for Gabe Vincent, Kennard was a spot-up 3-point shooter off the bench for the Lakers. 

The front office believed it needed a 3-point shooter who could hit open shots when defenses collapsed on LeBron and Doncic. Kennard’s buzzer-beater against the Magic on March 21 was direct proof of that. 

LUKE KENNARD HITS THE GO-AHEAD 3 TO WIN IT FOR THE LAKERS

LOS ANGELES HAS WON 9 GAMES IN A ROW! pic.twitter.com/1kZR6dsqQk

— NBA (@NBA) March 22, 2026

Then Doncic went down April 2, and everything changed. 

With one hamstring strain, Kennard was thrust into the role of Lakers starting point guard. He went from spotting up, spacing the floor and staying out of the way of the stars to becoming one of the organizers of them. 

In his first game as the starting point guard, he recorded his first career triple-double. When the playoffs arrived Saturday, Kennard wasn’t experimenting with his new role, he was thriving in it.

“Honestly, I feel like those games leading up to right now, I developed a rhythm kind of playing in that role,” Kennard said. “It gave me confidence going into the playoffs … just being aggressive.”

Confidence is contagious in playoff settings. But it’s also fragile.

Kennard won’t be perfect from 3 every night. The Rockets will inevitably adjust. They’ll close out harder on him. They’ll start double-teaming him, forcing someone else to make shots. Playoff basketball demands constant recalibration. 

“He was way too comfortable early in the first quarter, and that got them going,” Rockets coach Ime Udoka said of Kennard. “We gotta do a better job on him. 9-13, 5-5 from 3, he’s way too comfortable.”

Luke Kennard on his game-high 27 points tonight, his aggression and LeBron James setting the tone. pic.twitter.com/KgeVezbGTT

— Michael J. Duarte (@michaeljduarte) April 19, 2026

Thankfully for the Lakers, Kennard doesn’t need to always be perfect to be effective. He just needs to remain confident, aggressive and involved.

“He kept the defense always off balance tonight,” James said of Kennard. 

Kennard forces defenses into uncomfortable math. Help on LeBron and he’ll kill you from 3. Stay home on the shooters and LeBron can drive to the basket or run the pick and roll in the paint with Deandre Ayton. 

“He is the No. 1 shooter in the NBA … but now he’s doing it in the playoffs when it really counts,” Ayton said. “I was speechless tonight. 5-for-5 from 3 in the playoffs as a Laker? Yeah, that hits different.”

Deandre Ayton on his game tonight, his confidence on the court, and what he saw from Luke Kennard tonight. pic.twitter.com/tIr0Wt57eU

— Michael J. Duarte (@michaeljduarte) April 19, 2026

When the Lakers traded for Kennard in early February, they weren’t doing it to save their season. They were hoping to acquire a specialist. A luxury piece. 

But injuries don’t care about roster design. They expose it. 

And in Game 1, Kennard didn’t just fill a role. He reshaped the entire structure of the Lakers’ offense without Doncic and Reaves. 

So if you’re the Rockets, the problem isn’t that Kennard scored 27 points or had a perfect shooting night from 3. It’s the possibility that this new version of Kennard — controlled, aggressive, organized — won’t disappear as the series goes on. 

Because if he doesn’t, then the Lakers aren’t just surviving this series. They’re flipping the entire thing on its head. 

And maybe, just maybe, Kennard was acquired to save the season after all.

Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters

Want to get more Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account here.

The Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics kick off their Round 1 battle at TD Garden this afternoon, and there is a flurry of NBA player prop projections to take advantage of.

We break it all down in our 76ers vs. Celtics predictions and NBA picks below.

76ers vs Celtics computer picks for Game 1

76ers	Celtics
Drummond o6.5 points  -105	White o4.5 assists  +135
Bona o3.5 points  +100	Hauser o6.5 points  -133
Edgecombe o14.5 points  -115	White o13.5 points  -115

Cash your ML bets quicker with bet365's early win payout!

Take advantage of the early win payout at bet365, where any pre-game NBA moneyline bet gets paid out as a winner if your team goes up by 20+ points!

Learn more about this feature, and all of bet365's offerings, with our comprehensive bet365 review!

Sign Up Now atimg src="https://img.covers.com/betting/sportsbooks/2/bet365.svg" alt="bet365" width="100" height="28" style="vertical-align: middle;"

21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER

76ers Game 1 computer picks

Andre Drummond Over 6.5 points (-105)

Projection: 8.44 points

With Embiid sidelined, Andre Drummond will have his number called in this series, and he's averaged 12 points per game over his last three games and scored 14 and 10 in his last two against Boston.

span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet DRUMMOND Now at bet365!/span

Adem Bona Over 3.5 points (+100)

Projection: 4.53 points

Adem Bona averaged 5.7 points per game in his last six regular-season games, including two games of 10 and 13. This is a low bar to clear.

span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet BONA Now at bet365!/span

VJ Edgecombe Over 14.5 points (-115)

Projection: 16.99 points

VJ Edgecombe averaged 16 points per game as a rookie and went Over this number in three of his last four, including 19 against the Magic in the 7/8 Play-In game.

span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet EDGECOMBE Now at bet365!/span

---

Celtics Game 1 computer picks

Derrick White Over 4.5 assists (+135)

Projection: 5.54 assists

Derrick White averaged 5.4 assists per game this season and logged eight and seven assists in his last two games against the Sixers.

span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet WHITE Now at bet365!/span

Sam Hauser Over 6.5 points (-133)

Projection: 9.12 points

Sam Hauser's confidence will be sky-high entering the playoffs after he finished the regular season by scoring 24 points against the Pelicans and shooting 8-for-12 from deep.

span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet HAUSER Now at bet365!/span

Derrick White Over 13.5 points

Projection: 16.28 points

White's shooting percentage came back up to 47.8% in April after three straight months of below 40% shooting. He also averaged 19.8 points per game against Philly this season and cleared this total in all four games.

span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet WHITE Now at bet365!/span

How to watch 76ers vs Celtics Game 1

Location	TD Garden, Boston, MA
Date	Sunday, April 19, 2026
Tip-off	1:00 p.m. ET
TV	ABC

Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.

MORE NBA PICKS

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

Want to get more Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account here.

Game 1 between the Orlando Magic and Detroit Pistons projects as a slower, more physical matchup, and that shifts where value shows up.

That’s key for bettors.

With fewer easy scoring chances and tighter rotations, certain props become more predictable. Our NBA player prop projections focus on those edges, while our Magic vs. Pistons predictions cover the full game alongside other NBA picks.

Magic vs Pistons computer picks for Game 1

Magic	Pistons
Wagner u17.5 points  -135	Duren u20.5 points  -110
Carter Jr. o0.5 threes  -110	Stewart o6.5 points  -115
Banchero u22.5 points  +100	Cunningham u27.5 points  -112

Cash your ML bets quicker with bet365's early win payout!

Take advantage of the early win payout at bet365, where any pre-game NBA moneyline bet gets paid out as a winner if your team goes up by 20+ points!

Learn more about this feature, and all of bet365's offerings, with our comprehensive bet365 review!

Sign Up Now atimg src="https://img.covers.com/betting/sportsbooks/2/bet365.svg" alt="bet365" width="100" height="28" style="vertical-align: middle;"

21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER

Magic Game 1 computer picks

Franz Wagner Under 17.5 points (-135)

Projection: 15.86 points

This is a matchup fade. Franz Wagner relies on rhythm and driving lanes, and those are harder to come by in a playoff opener against a physical defense. If he’s forced into more contested halfcourt looks, the efficiency drops, and so does the path to 18+.

span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet Wagner Now at bet365!/span

Wendell Carter Jr. Over 0.5 threes (-110)

Projection: 0.92 threes

You only need one, and the role supports it. Wendell Carter Jr. spaces the floor in this offense, especially when defenses collapse on Banchero. If he’s playing starter minutes, he’s getting multiple clean looks from deep. This is more about opportunity than volume.

span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet Carter Jr. Now at bet365!/span

Paolo Banchero Under 22.5 points (+100)

Projection: 21.88 points

This is where playoff basketball tightens up. Paolo Banchero will get his touches, but the Pistons can load up defensively and make him work through contact on every possession. Unless he’s living at the line, this number is a bit inflated for a Game 1 environment.

span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet Banchero Now at bet365!/span

---

Pistons Game 1 computer picks

Jalen Duren Under 20.5 points (-110)

Projection: 16.90 points

This line is mispriced for his role. Jalen Duren isn’t a primary scorer. He feeds off lobs, putbacks, and easy looks. In a slower game with fewer transition chances, those opportunities shrink. Asking him to clear 20 requires an outlier performance.

span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet Duren Now at bet365!/span

Isaiah Stewart Over 6.5 points (-115)

Projection: 9.01 points

Low line, steady role. Isaiah Stewart doesn’t need volume to clear this, just minutes and a couple of made shots. In a physical matchup, he’s going to be involved, whether it’s second-chance points or spot-up looks. This is one of the cleaner numbers on the board.

span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet Stewart Now at bet365!/span

Cade Cunningham Under 27.5 points (-112)

Projection:24.99 points

This is a ceiling fade. Cade Cunningham will have the ball, but playoff defenses are built to force it out of his hands late in possessions. If the Magic send help and make others beat them, his scoring becomes more volatile. You’re betting on resistance, not lack of usage.

span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet Cunningham Now at bet365!/span

How to watch Magic vs Pistons Game 1

Location	Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI
Date	Sunday, April 19, 2026
Tip-off	6:30 p.m. ET
TV	NBC

Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.

MORE NBA PICKS

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

The Atlanta Hawks fought until the final whistle but ultimately didn’t do enough to pull out a victory in game one of their first round series against the New York Knicks, losing on Saturday night by a final score of 113-102.

How It Happened

Jalen Brunson poured in 19 points in the first quarter alone and finished with 28 points to lead all scorers. Karl-Anthony Towns was vital down the stretch for New York and finished with 25 points to go along with eight boards and three blocks. 

Meanwhile for Atlanta, CJ McCollum scored a team-high 26 points on 11-for-20 shooting from the floor (4-for-9 from three), although he did commit a team-high 5 turnovers as well. Jalen Johnson tallied 23 points, seven rebounds and three assists, but shot 8-for-19 from the field including just 4-for-10 in the paint. Dyson Daniels had a tough time scoring the ball but was excellent everywhere else, finishing with nine rebounds, 11 assists, three steals and four points. Onyeka Okongwu had 19 points and shot 4-for-6 from downtown. 

This one was a tale of two halves. Atlanta shot the ball well in the first half, and only trailed by two at the break. New York had a slight edge on the boards, but the Hawks had a slight edge in the turnover battle, and had to be feeling good about holding serve in their first playoff half on the road at MSG.

Then the third quarter happened. Atlanta’s offense went ice cold, scoring just 19 points on a miserable 39.8% true shooting clip while coughing the ball up five times. While New York didn’t shoot it spectacularly in the third (7-for-16 from the floor, 2-for-4 from three), they were a +9 at the free-throw stripe, which was a significant difference between the two teams in the period.

With the Hawks trailing by nine at the start of the final frame, it was imperative for them to cut into the lead at the start of the quarter against New York’s bench lineup, but two big threes from Miles McBride kept the Knicks bench afloat, before Towns sparked a 15-3 run to stretch New York’s lead to 19 with 4:36 to play. 

Atlanta didn’t go down without a fight, responding with an 11-0 run of their own to cut the lead to eight with 1:39 left. But it was too little, too late, with the Knicks seeing out the game at the free throw line. As a result, the Hawks now face a 1-0 series deficit heading into Monday’s game two.

Here are a few things that stood out from game one.

New York Flips the Script in Transition

In case you aren’t familiar with this year’s Atlanta Hawks, this is a team that likes to play fast and beat you in transition, ranking fifth in pace and second in transition efficiency (per cleaningtheglass) during the regular season. However, in game one, it was New York who won the fastbreak points battle, outscoring Atlanta 22-13 in this area – an uncharacteristic showing for the Hawks, and a trend that cannot continue if they are to pull off a first-round upset.

Said Quin Snyder after the game:

“The formula for us, and our identity has been to run and move the ball. It’s not that we didn’t do that, but we need to do more of it. We’re obviously playing a really good team, and it’s [only] game one. So you take it, you watch it, and we’ll see some of the things more specifically that we need to better.”

New York is one of the best offensive rebounding teams in the league but only grabbed six offensive rebounds last night. I believe part of the reason that number was so low* was because they were prioritizing transition defense over the offensive glass, and after seeing how game one played out, it’s hard to argue with this strategy from Mike Brown. 

_{*in addition to Atlanta’s ‘hack-a-Mitch’ strategy paying off, with Robinson playing just 5:00 and shooting 1-for-4 from the free-throw line in the second half}

Another thing that hurt Atlanta is that they only forced 11 Knicks turnovers last night – well below their regular-season average – which limited their opportunities to get out and run in transition. Atlanta ranked sixth in opponent turnover rate (15.6%) and 3rd in points off turnovers (20.7) during the regular season and will need to play up to that standard in the postseason, especially if they’re having a difficult time generating transition opportunities off of New York’s misses. 

Said CJ McCollum after the game: 

“It’s just about getting stops. When we get stops, we’re very hard to guard, we can get threes, layups, dunks, ball moves a little bit better. So, [we have to] do a better job defensively. We gave up 112 [points], lots of free throws, Brunson had 19 in the first quarter, so there’s things we can tighten up collectively. But it starts with being better defensively for longer periods of time, and that’ll help our offense too.”

I’d expect Atlanta to be more aggressive on defense and take the pace up a notch on Monday night. 

Outside Shooting Sinks Atlanta in the Second Half

The Hawks are a good outside shooting team, ranking eighth in three-point percentage (37.4%) since the All-Star break, but last night, after an 8-for-16 showing from deep in the first half, they shot just 6-for-21 (28.6%) in the second half – including a stretch from the 8:42 mark of the third quarter to the 8:28 mark of the fourth where they went 0-for-9. 

Despite Atlanta’s impressive regular season three-point percentage, they have been prone to cold spells and interestingly enough, were a bottom 10 three-point shooting team in third quarters this season. Needless to say, they’ll need to put it together for all four quarters in order to win in the postseason, as last night was evidence of just how detrimental a cold shooting spell can be. 

Said McCollum after the game:

“It’s a make or miss league, when [shots] go down everything is great and you’re flowing, and when you miss ‘em, it can kind’ve snowball and create runs so it’s just about knocking down shots. I had some open looks I missed in the second half. But overall, I think we’ll take the quality of looks we got, we’ll generate better looks, we’ll generate more looks and we’ll have more possessions to score with less turnovers.”

Dyson Daniels Does It All (But Score)

On a positive note, though he only finished with four points on 2-for-7 shooting, I thought last night was the quintessential Dyson Daniels game – aside from the fact that it ended in a defeat. Daniels led the team in rebounds (9), assists (11), screen assists (6), steals (3), and deflections (7) and was simply just a ball of energy on the court. He spent time hounding Jalen Brunson and even picked up KAT for a few possessions towards the end of the game. Offensively, his transition playmaking prowess was on full display, and he did a good job operating as a ‘DHO’ hub in the halfcourt. 

Daniels has gotten a lot of flack for his poor outside shooting this season, but last night was a great example of how valuable of a player he is – even without a jumpshot. 

‘NAW’t His Best

On a less positive note, MIP candidate Nickeil Alexander-Walker had a rough shooting night in his Hawks playoff debut, finishing with 17 points on 7-for-16 shooting (3-for-8 from three) against New York. While you might be thinking, “well, that’s not that bad”, keep in mind that over the last 24 games of the regular season, Alexander-Walker averaged 22.5 points on a ridiculous 52.2% shooting clip from the floor and 46% from three (7.9 attempts per game). Call me spoiled, but I had gotten used to that version of NAW, and the Hawks are going to need him to show up if they want a shot at advancing past the first round.

One thing to note is that NAW has been one of the league’s most efficient transition scorers this season (shameless plug), so if Atlanta can turn up the defensive aggression, play with more pace and generate some more transition opportunities going forwards, perhaps they can get him some more comfortable looks, and unlock the best version of him in the playoffs. 

Looking Ahead to Game 2…

Game two of Hawks Knicks is on Monday at 8 PM EST on Peacock. While the game one result is obviously disappointing, it was hardly unexpected, with New York favored by 5.5 points before tip-off. The Hawks have Sunday to regroup, analyze the film and prepare to come out firing in game two. 

On what he and the team need to improve upon in game two, CJ McCollum said: 

“Turnovers, I had five turnovers, there’s things that we can do better from a spacing standpoint. Moving the ball a bit more, being more intentional with ball and player movement, but I have to watch the film… sometimes it’s just missing shots, transition, but I have to watch the film.”

“I don’t think there’s anything that we didn’t expect. It’s a hostile environment, great fans, great arena. This is a very good team, so you knew they were going to come out with energy and be aggressive and [be] very intentional with their player movement and ball movement. I think it’s all about responding, so I look forward to responding on Monday.”

Jalen Johnson echoed that sentiment, saying: 

“It’s the first game, obviously there’s a ton of room for improvement. But I gotta go back and watch film. See other ways I can continue to be effective, continue to get my teammates involved. Yeah, just let the game come to me, not try to force anything, continue to trust my teammates… I feel like it was solid, and like CJ said, we’ll be ready for Monday.”

There’s still a lot of basketball left to be played in this series – but Atlanta will need a response on Monday night.

Want to get more Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account here.

The Boston Celtics kick off another playoff run against the Joel Embiid-less Philadelphia 76ers, and our 76ers vs. Celtics predictions and NBA picks expect Boston to cruise to victory in Game 1 this afternoon.

Who will win 76ers vs Celtics Game 1?

76ers win probability:14% (+614)
Celtics win probability:86% (-614)

In the last three games the Philadelphia 76ers played in Boston without the big man, they were outscored by 17.3 points per game. The Boston Celtics sport a +8.3 net rating at home this season, and with the team close to full strength, I’ll back them to win this one by 13+.

Our prediction: Celtics to win

Without Embiid, Philly’s offensive rating dipped from 118.5 to 112.9, good for eighth-worst. Philly will have trouble scoring, and I expect Boston to cruise.

Read more in Zak Hanshew's full 76ers vs. Celtics predictions.

More 76ers vs Celtics prediction markets

You're certainly not limited to the main game outcome for 76ers vs. Celtics at Kalshi; you also have options to trade on the spread, total, and more, among other NBA odds markets.

You can buy either side of a market — for example, "Yes" on the Celtics -13.5 spread means the Celtics will cover, while "No" means the 76ers will cover — with each side priced based on the implied probability (which can be converted to American, Decimal, or Fraction odds using the Covers odds converter).

76ers vs Celtics spread and total at prediction markets

Our predictions:Celtics -13.5 — Yes and Over 212.5 points — No

No team hit the Under at a higher percentage than the Celtics at 63.4%. The C’s kept the score low throughout the season thanks to a Bottom-5 pace and Top-5 defense.

Other 76ers vs Celtics prediction markets available

• Jayson Tatum 25+ points (Yes: 54¢)
• Tyrese Maxey 30+ points (Yes: 36¢)
• Derrick White 3+ threes (Yes: 50¢)

What is Kalshi and how does it work?

Kalshi is a federally regulated U.S. exchange where you trade directly on the outcome of real-world future events. Instead of traditional bets, you trade "Event Contracts" which are simple Yes/No questions like "Will the Celtics win tonight?" These events are priced between $0.01 and $0.99, and the prices reflect the market’s estimated probability of that event occurring. For instance, $0.55 equals a 55% chance. If your prediction is correct, the contract pays out exactly $1.00; if not, it settles at $0. Kalshi is essentially a stock market for reality.

How does Kalshi differ from sportsbooks?

In a sportsbook, you bet against the bookmaker, who sets fixed odds and takes a "vig," which is a kind of commission. On Kalshi, you trade against other users. This peer-to-peer model means prices are driven by supply and demand, often resulting in fairer odds. Additionally, because these are financial derivatives, you can exit your position early. If your team takes a 14-point lead, the contract price will rise, allowing you to sell your "Yes" shares for a profit before the final whistle even blows.

Why should I wager on 76ers vs Celtics at Kalshi?

Kalshi offers four unique advantages over traditional sportsbooks:

1. Flexibility: Unlike a "locked-in" bet, you can sell your contract at any time.
   
   
2. Transparency: You trade against other users, which can allow you to find better value.
   
   
3. Federal regulation: As a CFTC-regulated exchange, your funds are held in a secure, transparent environment.
   
   
4. Availability: Kalshi is available in 49 states (excluding Nevada) and D.C., including many regions where traditional sportsbooks aren't yet legal.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

In Saturday’s Brotherhood Playoff Action, Tyrese Proctor’s Cleveland Cavaliers beat Toronto, featuring RJ Barrett and Brandon Ingram, 126-113. Denver, with Tyus Jones, knocked off the Timberwolves, 116-105. The Hawks, coached by Quin Snyder and featuring Jalen Johnson, took down New York, 113-102. The Los Angeles Lakers, coached by JJ Redick and starring Luke Kennard, grounded the Rockets, 107-98.

Barrett scored 24 points, while Ingram had 17 for the Raptors, while Proctor got a DNP (did not play).

Tyus Jones also got a DNP for Denver.

Johnson got 23 points and 7 rebounds in Atlanta’s loss to the Knicks.

And while the Lakers are without the injured Luka Doncic, Kennard filled in well, hitting for 27 points on 9-13/5-5 from the floor, along with 4 rebounds and three assists.

That was Kennard’s career playoff high, incidentally.

On Sunday, Jayson Tatum and Boston take on Philadelphia, Jared McCain and OKC play Phoenix, with Grayson Allen, Mark Williams, and Khaman Maluach, while Orlando, featuring Paolo Banchero and Wendell Carter, rumble with Trajan Langdon’s Detroit Pistons.

• “We don’t have Luka, but we have Luke”: Lakers fans celebrate Luke Kennard’s Game 1 performance in win over Rockets
• Former Piston shows Detroit what they’re missing as he dominates next to LeBron
• Luke Kennard steps up for Lakers, leads way to Game 1 win vs. Rockets
• JJ Redick Knows What the Playoffs Demand From This Lakers Group
• Raptors’ RJ Barrett: Tallies 24 points in Game 1 loss
• RJ Barrett gets the hoop and harm
• Raptors’ Brandon Ingram takes just nine shots from field in Game 1 loss to Cavs
• How can Rajakovic get more out of Ingram and Barnes in Game 2?
• “Me shooting 9 shots is not going to win basketball games”: Brandon Ingram sends clear message to Raptors coaching staff after Game 1 loss to Cavs
• Lakers continue to win Brandon Ingram trade as forward disappears in playoffs
• Jalen Johnson Scores 23 Points In Loss To Knicks

Go to the DBR Boards to find Blue Healer Auctions || Drop us a line

1984 was the first season the NBA implemented the 16-team playoff system, divided by the Eastern and Western Conferences. Since 1984, there have only been six 8-seeds to upset a 1-seed in the playoffs.

The first team to ever do it was the 1994 Denver Nuggets, who defeated the Seattle SuperSonics 3–2 after coming back from down 2-0. The next team to do it was the 1999 New York Knicks in a lockout-shortened season against the Miami Heat in a 3-2 series win. That Knicks team went on to make the NBA Finals. Then in 2007, the ‘We Believe Warriors’ defeated the Dallas Mavericks and MVP winner Dirk Nowitzki 4-2. A few years later, the Memphis Grizzlies upset the Spurs 4-2 in 2011, and the Philadelphia 76ers defeated the 1-seed Chicago Bulls 4-2, who lost their MVP, Derrick Rose, in game one of that series. And the last team to do it? The 2023 Miami Heat, who defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 4-1 with Giannis Antetokounmpo in and out of the lineup that series. That Heat team also made the NBA Finals.

So what’s been the magic recipe historically?

For the 76ers and Bulls, it was injury luck. The Grizzlies and Warriors played a style of basketball that their counterparts could not match up against. The Grizzlies completely out-physicaled the Spurs, and the Warriors’ small-ball exposed a major flaw in the Mavericks’ unathletic roster. The Knicks and Nuggets got to play a five-game series, and both had exceptional defenses that stifled the Heat and Supersonics.

Historically, 8-seeds are 6-of-84 in opportunities against 1-seeds. So that gives the Suns a 7.1% chance to beat the Thunder, which is right on the money with how oddsmakers view this series. The Suns are right around +1300 to win the series. By no means is this article saying that the Suns will win the series, but rather the historical context of what kind of company they can be in if they do, and just how much of a shock it would be if they did. Plus, if you want to look on the bright side, if the Suns do beat the Thunder, they have a 33% chance at making the Finals!

So what has to go right for Phoenix to earn a series win over Oklahoma City?

Injury luck, obviously. In two weeks from now, if Phoenix has done the impossible and is moving on to the second round, it will more than likely be due to Oklahoma City having poor injury luck. Phoenix also needs the inverse; Grayson Allen and Mark Williams must play in order for them to win. There’s not a whole lot more to break down than that, and this Oklahoma City team is so talented it might take more than one injury for Phoenix to have a chance.

Now lets go to the basketball scenarios, which are way more fun to write about. 3-point shooting and taking care of the ball are the two keys for the Suns to have a shot against the Thunder. The Thunder are elite defensively with an unending roster of elite defenders perfectly suited to guarding Devin Booker, Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and the rest of the Suns roster. The Suns have to limit their turnovers while the Thunder turn it over like hotcakes. The Suns also need to take and make more threes than the Thunder. Winning the possession battle and 3-point battle has been the Suns’ recipe for success all season, and they will need to do it four times in four wins if they want to get a series win over the Thunder. The Suns have to shoot as many threes as possible, hope that they get a high number of makes, and if not, rebound those long misses and take some more triples.

The other ingredient to a historic series upset is generational performances or clutch play-making from the superstar player or players. Jimmy Butler reached extraordinary levels in the Heat’s recent 4-1 series win against the Bucks by making incredible shots in improbable comebacks. Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol dominated the Spurs’ frontline inside in the Grizzlies series win over the Spurs, and Dikembe Mutombo blocked the Supersonics in the final seconds, capped off by his iconic celebration.

The Suns will need elite shotmaking from Booker, Green, and Brooks, plus plenty of defensive heroism from everyone on the roster. Slowing down Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will be the Suns’ top priority, and he is the game’s best closer. It will be a challenge to match him bucket for bucket in the final minutes of games, but it is something the Suns will have to do.

So how does this team get it done?

The Suns have to win in six games or fewer, even if there are injuries. Playing the Thunder in Oklahoma City in a game seven is a daunting task. If the Suns win this series, it is because they won one of the first two games on the road, then hold the Thunder at bay to win in six games. Right now, just winning one game in the series would feel like an accomplishment for the Suns. Even the most optimistic Suns fans cannot consciously believe that this team will win this series. But as long as the 15 players in the locker room and the coaching staff believe they have a chance to win, I will be watching every minute.

If the Suns are going to win this series, here is the path it takes to get there:

Game 1 – Suns win in the final seconds of a close game.

Game 2 – Suns lose, and honestly, the more the Thunder lay it on, the better.

Game 3 – Suns get ridiculously hot from behind the line and win a game no one saw coming

Game 4 – Suns mount a furious fourth-quarter comeback and steal a win in an ugly rock fight game that ends in the high 80’s

Suns fall short, and Gilgeous-Alexander has his 40-point explosion

Game 5 – Suns fall short and Gilgeous-Alexander has his 40-point explosion

Game 6 – Suns win a game where Booker, Green, and Brooks score 80+ points, and a Suns role player hits a game-winning 3-point shot

The science behind this scenario is that every single team since the Warriors in 2007 has won game 1 of the series (except Philadelphia because of the Rose injury), and in the six series combined, the 8-seeds are a combined 14-1 at home. To upset a 1-seed, the path is clear: win the first game, and then win at home.

The Suns do have a few things going their way

They have nothing to lose, and the Thunder have all the pressure on them to win. The Suns are -1 in point differential this season against the Thunder with Booker in the lineup and are 1-1 in those games. The Suns are 2-3 against the Thunder in five games, which is as familiar as you can get with one team in the regular season. Even with all those reasons to be positive, the Suns have 7% chance to win this series, but with every run the Suns make, every loose ball they collect, every offensive rebound they grab, that number can grow and grow until it becomes a series.

Someone has to become the lucky number seven team to upset a 1-seed, so why not this Phoenix Suns team?

Luke-ah?

With star guard Luka Doncic back on the Lakers sideline but still out indefinitely, Luke Kennard did his best impression of the NBA’s leading scorer Saturday, catapulting the Lakers to a 107-98 win over the Houston Rockets to give the Lakers a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven first-round playoff series.

Kennard drained all five of his three-point attempts, including three in the fourth quarter. Threes while curling off screens or taking hand-offs from teammates are routine for the NBA’s leading three-point shooter. But Kennard may have surprised even himself when he drove against Houston’s Jabari Smith, U-turned, scampered back outside the three-point line and drained a three from the wing.

The Crypto.com Arena crowd that was buzzing from the opening tip to the final horn erupted. Kennard screamed.

LeBron and Luke hit BACK-TO-BACK threes from deep 🔥 pic.twitter.com/GQ0yiMzu7U

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 19, 2026

"My word is speechless, to be honest," center Deandre Ayton said of Kennard's performance. "Seeing him five-for-five in a playoff game as a Laker. Yeah, it hits different."

The Lakers sent Gabe Vincent and a 2032 second-round draft pick to Atlanta for Kennard in February. The midseason trade felt relatively marginal compared to league-wide blockbusters that shuffled James Harden, Darius Garland and Anthony Davis.

Kennard has now authored several headlining performances in the purple and gold. He drained a game-winning three-pointer against Orlando. He notched the first triple-double of his career.

Saturday’s season high eclipsed them all.

“To do it especially at a place like this, playing for the Lakers on the biggest stage in basketball, it means a lot to me," Kennard said, "and what I've done and just credit to the work I've put in and how I prepared leading up to this."

Since Doncic (hamstring) and Austin Reaves (oblique) were injured on April 2, Kennard has had to adjust his role to include more ball handling. He typified the Lakers’ adaptability with 32 assists in the last five games of the regular season after averaging 1.7 assists per game since joining the team. But he lamented that he wasn’t shooting to his standard.

Compared to his league-best 47.8%, his 30.8% shooting from three during the past five games felt like a slump.

Each shot, whether a make or miss, still helped Kennard develop a rhythm entering the playoffs, he said. Now if he sees even a sliver of daylight, he’ll be ready to shoot. It’s exactly what the Lakers want to see.

Read more:'He does so many more things.' How Luke Kennard became the Lakers' emergency point guard

“I just liked that he was aggressive shooting threes,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said. “I mean, he played a fantastic basketball game.”

Kennard, who also had three assists and four rebounds, was nine for 13 from the field as the Lakers, who shot 60.6% as a team, shot 60% or better in a playoff game for the first time since the first round of the 2009 playoffs. Led by Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol, the Lakers won their first of back-to-back titles that year.

All five of the Lakers starters scored in double figures. LeBron James had 19 points and 13 assists, and Ayton had 19 points and 11 rebounds while helping keep two-time All-Star Alperen Sengun to 19 points on inefficient six-for-19 shooting. The Rockets, who were without Kevin Durant because of a minor knee injury, shot 37.6% from the floor.

“Everybody played a big role tonight and I feel that just speaks to what we've been the last few weeks with guys out,” Kennard said. “It's going to take everybody. We know that. We got to continue to elevate each other and push each other and continue to be a team.”

Read more:Shorthanded Lakers knock off Durant-less Rockets in playoff opener

Doncic reunited with the team Saturday after he spent the past two weeks in Europe getting specialized treatment on his Grade 2 left hamstring strain. Dressed in a crisp white button up shirt and khaki pants, Doncic sat next to Reaves on the bench. They rose to their feet every time Kennard set up for a three. They handed out high fives at every time out.

The injuries to Doncic and Reaves turned the Lakers into the perceived sitting duck of the competitive Western Conference playoffs. Critics felt the team couldn’t survive one playoff round with the 41-year-old James as its sole offensive catalyst.

A welcoming cheer from Lakers fans during starting lineups serves as a reminder that James still has backup.

“Luuuuuke!”

Sign up for our weekly newsletter on all things Lakers.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

After a roller coaster regular season, the Philadelphia 76ers handled business in the Play-In Tournament against Orlando, earning the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference and a first-round matchup against the rival Boston Celtics. In Game 1 this afternoon in Boston, the Celtics are 13-point favorites to take a 1-0 lead in the series, and are huge minus-900 favorites to advance to the second round. If those lopsided odds have you down as a Sixers fan, can I remind you of another big upset that started in Boston? It was a little thing called the American Revolution.

Unfortunately, the Sixers are without their George Washington in this clash between original colonial powers. Philadelphia only has one player listed on the injury report, but it’s a big one, with Joel Embiid out due to his post appendectomy surgery recovery. (Yes, Johni Broome is available to save the day.) There’s no realistic belief that Joel will be back soon to impact the series, but maybe Boston also has some injuries the Sixers could take advantage of today?

I guess not. Jayson Tatum has been back over a month now following Achilles surgery and appears to be fully ramped up. The All-NBA talent looking like himself is a big reason why the Celtics are now significant favorites to advance out of the East to the NBA Finals. Of course, that’s still a couple months away and the Sixers will hope to be more than a minor speed bump along the Celtics’ path.

The Sixers’ chances of making this a competitive series will start with their backcourt. We know Tyrese Maxey can shine on the biggest stage after seeing him average nearly 30 points per game in the series against New York two years ago. The year prior in the seven-game series loss to Boston was more of a mixed bag. Maxey scored 30 points in the Game 5 win to go up 3-2, but also had three games scoring 14 points or less. Of course, Tyrese has improved a ton over the past three seasons and his dropping 40 points in the regular season opener against Boston is more indicative of what we’re likely to see from him.

Philadelphia’s biggest X factor is rookie VJ Edgecombe, who didn’t look the least bit phased by the moment during the Play-In, recording 19 points and 11 rebounds and puffing his chest out at Jalen Suggs. Edgecombe found success against Boston this season, notably scoring 14 points in his first ever NBA quarter while facing the Celtics, a league record. His ability to create splash plays defensively and get out in transition will be vital for a Sixers’ offense that projects to struggle in the half court against Boston.

Aside from the whole having a deeper roster thing, the big advantage for Boston will be on the glass. The Sixers were a terrible defensive rebounding team this season and the Celtics were one of the better squads at creating second-chance opportunities. Andre Drummond played well against Orlando and had one or two solid performances this year against Boston. If he could channel 2020 Andre (only now with three-point shooting!), that would go a long way towards helping the Sixers stay within arms-length of Boston to pull off an upset.

If we’re going to do some straw grasping, it has been nine days since Boston’s regulars saw the court at all. Maybe there’s a bit of an adjustment period back to the intensity of live game action. The early afternoon start time could also play a factor. NBA players are largely very routine-oriented and have shifted their schedules to peak at nighttime. Today they’re playing at 1:00 pm Eastern when some of them might normally be taking naps. Obviously, it wouldn’t favor the Sixers more than the Celtics, but maybe things get wonky and that can only benefit the underdog.

The club who the Sixers share a building with was able to pull off a Game 1 win on the road yesterday. Time for the Sixers to get gritty and see if they can’t make Boston sweat here to start this first-round series.

Game Details

When: Sunday, April 19, 1:00 PM ET
Where: TD Garden, Boston, MA
Watch: ABC
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic
Follow: @LibertyBallers

The NBA Playoffs are upon us, which means it’s time to diagnose the Detroit Pistons as they look to make a run to the NBA Finals. The crew at DBB looked at the first-round matchup, the difference makers and the likelihood of that championship run.

1. The Pistons will kick off the playoffs against the Orlando Magic on Sunday. What is your read on the series + who wins and in how many games?

Sean Corp: The Orlando Magic seem like a team at its breaking point, and the Detroit Pistons defense loves to break teams. They are also one of the worst 3-point shooting teams in the NBA, and hot 3-point shooting is how a lot of teams stick around. Feels like a physical, short series. Pistons in 5. 

Laz Jackson: Pistons in six. It should be Pistons in five, but there will be at least one game thats a smidge TOO rock fight-y and the Magic win at home, plus the “normal” playoff loss. 

Brady Fredericksen: Orlando is the biggest disappointment in the NBA, yet they’re still fighting. Franz looks lost, and Paolo (sans the Charlotte game) has been more bad than god. The Magic are a poor man’s Pistons, and I can’t see them beating Detroit at its own game. Pistons win this in 5 games.

Justin Lambregtse: The Magic are a mess, but they at least have playoff experience and have played the Pistons well the last couple years. I think the Pistons beat them in 6 games.

Wes Davenport: The Magic are solid and will present some challenges for Detroit. However, in playoff basketball, defense and star power win the day. It’s nearly impossible to argue the Pistons are lacking for either compared to Orlando. Pistons in 5.

Robbie Bettelon: Pistons in 5. I’m ready for Round 2 already. 

Brennan Sims: Orlando, one of the teams the Pistons have smoke with. Detroit would have handled Charlotte, and the’ll handle the Magic. 

Max Sturm: I see the Pistons handling Orlando. The Magic are essentially a poor man’s version of Detroit. They’re finally healthy after being banged up all year, and at their best they are long, skilled, and can shut the water off on defense. Pistons in 6. 

Austen Flores: Orlando is finally healthy, but Detroit is well-equipped to neutralize what they do best. The regular season games were close, but Orlando’s offensive inconsistency — too much drive-and-kick and stagnant possessions — shows up. Expect tight games, but Detroit pulls them out. Pistons in five.

2. Who are the 1-2 most important players for the Pistons to make a legitimate run?

Sean Corp: The boring answer is Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren. They power the offense, and help define the defense. The swing answer might be Ausar Thompson. The ability to maximize his defense (be keeping him on the floor) and limit foul trouble is key. 

Laz Jackson: Ausar. Can he neutralize Desmond Bane / Donovan Mitchell entirely and make offenses less efficient? What poor soul will he backcut to death in the half court? Even in a slowed down playoff environment, can he generate deflections, blocks, steals that turn into the easy offense the Pistons feast on? I think so. Caris LeVert. Quietly, VERY quietly, he has been less disruptive to good offense. He WILL get minutes, but can they be productive ones? Will we have a Caris LeVert Game, one that steals the Pistons a series? It’s on the table. 

Brady Fredericksen: Daniss Jenkins and Jalen Duren stand out. Jenkins found a second wind, and if he can create, score and play under control in his minutes, the Pistons will be in good shape. Duren has leveled up. Now, it’s time to prove that the shot creation and defense is real against locked-in defenses. I think he’s ready.

Justin Lambregtse: Duren and Jenkins. I have faith in Cade’s ability to play in the playoffs and Ausar’s defense is going to be important, but getting offensive contributions from both Duren and Jenkins to help out Cade/hold down the fort when he is out is going to be very important for a long playoff run.

Wes Davenport: Cade is the soft ball. But I’ll go the rest of that core four group as well — Duren (for his scoring ability), Ausar and Stew (for their defensive ability). Famous last words, I know, but I’m not all that worried about the floor spacing.

Robbie Bettelon: Duren and Ausar. If they can still coexist in playoff basketball, the East is in trouble. 

Brennan Sims: Cade Cunningham’s jump shot could swing a series either way. Duncan Robinson has to remain an elite shooter — channel that 2023 Finals run energy. 

Max Sturm: Jenkins comes to mind here. It’s easy to forget that Dennis Shroder was essentially the team’s second best player against the Knicks during last year’s playoffs. Jenkins has the ability to play a similar role this spring. Ausar Thompson is the other. Can he stay on the floor offensively during crunch time? Can he stay out of foul trouble? Can he make his free throws consistently? If those answers are yes, then the Pistons will have a tremendous advantage on the defensive end at all times.

Austen Flores: Jenkins and Robinson, with Tobias Harris just missing the cut. Jenkins has been a revelation and now steps into a major playoff role after not playing in last year’s Knicks series — he’ll need to match the impact Dennis Schröder had. Robinson’s playoff experience is valuable despite his ups and downs, and Detroit’s success often hinges on his shooting. JB Bickerstaff should prioritize getting him clean looks early.

3. How far do you see the Pistons’ run going? What is their ceiling and what is going to make or break them in their chase for the Finals?

Sean Corp: The Pistons keep surprising against the best competition. I only NEED a first round series win. I am confident they can get to the Conference Finals. And from there, they dictate their own fate, and the date of their off-season priorities as they look to be NBA Finals winners (soon).

Laz Jackson: The Detroit Pistons ceiling is an NBA Finals appearance, full stop. What makes or breaks them will be health (in both directions) and turnovers. 

Brady Fredericksen: I’ve got the Pistons falling in the ECF. I think they can beat the Knicks there, but I have concerns about how they match up against the Celtics with Jayson Tatum back. The offense has been a lot better, but a cold spell late in a big game in Boston could be the end of the line.

Justin Lambregtse: I’d love to say they make the Finals, but I don’t think that’s in the cards this year. I look at the OKC Thunder who were a 2nd round team a couple years ago before breaking through and going all the way and winning. The Pistons are still young and not playoff tested a ton, so I could see them going down in the 2nd round after a hard-fought series. It does depend on their 2nd round matchup, though.

Wes Davenport: I see this team as a lock for the conference semis. Anything beyond that is gravy to me. That said, I would predict they make the ECF. They’ll go as far as Cade and Duren will take them offensively.

Robbie Bettelon: I don’t fear any team outside of Boston. So, if they meet the Celtics in the ECF, I’d take Boston. 

Brennan Sims: They could make the Finals. Hard to see them beating OKC, San Antonio, or Denver. Who steps up after the All-Stars offensively + how does the offense fare in general?

Max Sturm: Their ceiling is the Finals, though I don’t see them beating either of the West favorites. A fully healthy Boston will likely be the favorite to come out of the East, and the Cavs pose a sneaky tough potential matchup in round two. Can someone be a consistent secondary scorer? Jenkins, Caris Levert, Kevin Huerter all have shown flashes of being that guy. Beyond that, health is a major factor, as maintaining their defense. 

Austen Flores: The ECF. The second round could take a toll, especially against a tough Cavs team that matches up well with Detroit and added another dimension with Harden. That goes at least six. A potential Boston matchup is intriguing — they’d have a chip on their shoulder — but with Tatum back, it may be a step too far.

Most likely top seed to lose early in the East?

Sean Corp: Cleveland Cavaliers

Laz Jackson: New York Knicks

Brady Fredericksen: New York Knicks

Robbie Bettelon: New York Knicks

Brennan Sims: New York Knicks

Max Sturm: New York Knicks

Austen Flores: New York Knicks

Most likely underdog to win a series in the East?

Sean Corp: Atlanta Hawks

Laz Jackson: Atlanta Hawks

Brady Fredericksen: Atlanta Hawks

Robbie Bettelon: Toronto Raptors

Brennan Sims: Toronto Raptors

Max Sturm: Philadelphia 76ers

Austen Flores: Atlanta Hawks

Who wins the East

Sean Corp: Boston Celtics

Laz Jackson: Detroit Pistons

Brady Fredericksen: Boston Celtics

Robbie Bettelon: Boston Celtics

Brennan Sims: Boston Celtics

Max Sturm: Detroit Pistons

Austen Flores: Boston Celtics

Most likely top seed to lose early in the West?

Sean Corp: Los Angeles Lakers

Laz Jackson: San Antonio Spurs

Brady Fredericksen: Denver Nuggets

Robbie Bettelon: Denver Nuggets

Brennan Sims: Denver Nuggets

Max Sturm: Los Angeles Lakers

Austen Flores: Los Angeles Lakers

Most likely underdog to win a series in the West?

Sean Corp: Minnesota Timberwolves

Laz Jackson: Houston Rockets

Brady Fredericksen: Minnesota Timberwolves

Robbie Bettelon: Minnesota Timberwolves

Brennan Sims: Minnesota Timberwolves

Max Sturm: Minnesota Timberwolves

Austen Flores: Houston Rockets

Who wins the West?

Sean Corp: San Antonio Spurs

Laz Jackson: Oklahoma City Thunder

Brady Fredericksen: Oklahoma City Thunder

Robbie Bettelon: San Antonio Spurs

Brennan Sims: Oklahoma City Thunder

Max Sturm: Oklahoma City Thunder

Austen Flores: Oklahoma City Thunder

Who wins the NBA title?

Sean Corp: Boston Celtics

Laz Jackson: Oklahoma City Thunder

Brady Fredericksen: Oklahoma City Thunder

Robbie Bettelon: San Antonio Spurs

Brennan Sims: Oklahoma City Thunder

Max Sturm: Oklahoma City Thunder

Austen Flores: Oklahoma City Thunder

—

As always, let us know what you think in the comments!

Ever since the Spurs punched their ticket into the postseason, the city has been hosting a bevy of events. From pop -up shops last week through today’s HemisFair pep rally, there are ongoing activations to feed your Spurs fanaticism.

Per a Spurs press release:

Game 1 Pep Rally at Hemisfair
Tower Park, 801 Cesar Chavez Boulevard
The Spurs will host a pep rally to tip off the first round at the Red McCombs Community Court at Hemisfair, presented by H-E-B and Ledger. Starting at 10 a.m. Sunday before Game 1, the pep rally will include free Taco Palenque coffee and tacos for the first 200 fans, free car flags presented by H-E-B, music and more.

Official Watch Parties
The Rock at La Cantera, 1 Spurs Way
The Spurs will host official watch parties, presented by Michelob ULTRA, at The Rock at La Cantera for all away games, free and open to the public. The parties will feature appearances from Coyote and Hype Squad, photobooths, and Spurs Playoff giveaways including T-shirts designed by artists from all Spurs markets – San Antonio, Austin, Mexico and France, and car flags presented by H-E-B. All home Playoff games will also be streamed at The Rock.

Pop-Up Fan Shop
333 W. Commerce Street
The Spurs will open a pop-up shop downtown for the duration of the Playoffs selling team gear and Playoff merchandise. The grand opening will be celebrated on Tuesday, April 14 at 5 p.m. with a DJ, music, trivia, photo ops and free Taco Palenque for the first 200 customers. The shop will be open at CENTRO San Antonio’s “La Zona” property daily from 12 to 8 p.m. and will have interactive photo ops and fan experiences exclusive to the store.

Exclusive In-Arena T-Shirts
Frost Bank Center
Fans at all first-round home games will receive a free T-shirt on their seat, featuring a unique design for each game. They will highlight San Antonio and Spurs culture, with several designed by local artists. Game 1’s T-shirt is presented by Ledger and designed by local artist Shek Vega and Game 2’s T-shirt is presented by H-E-B. Fans are encouraged to wear the T-shirt to be part of the collective arena experience.

Partner Giveaways
San Antonio
Partners will be showing their support for the team with a range of fan giveaways throughout the Playoffs. Every day during Playoffs, Take 5 will offer a 25% discount on an oil change for any customer wearing Spurs merch. Ledger will give away free fanbangos at all home games.

City Takeover
San Antonio, Austin and Paris
The Spurs will brand the city Spurs Fiesta colors by painting the team logo and playoff tags across town. Logos will appear from The Rock to the Impact Center to partner business locations to the streets of Paris. Fans are encouraged to enter to win a free team playoff flag and pick up free car flags at the first pep rally and watch parties at The Rock, while supplies last, to join in repping Spurs spirit at their homes and businesses. Spurs murals will also be on display at the San Antonio pop-up retail store location and Wanderlust Wine Co. in Austin.

Spurs Spot It Challenge
San Antonio & Austin
Beginning Friday, April 17, fans who visit five locations in San Antonio or Austin with the official Spurs Playoff logo painted onsite will earn 10 points as part of the recently launched “Spurs Rewards” program. Fans must download the Official Spurs App presented by Frost and sign up for Spurs Rewards to participate. See Spurs.com/Playoffs for a list of locations.

There are additional activations being added, so be sure to check here and follow the Spurs on social media. There will be free coffee and Taco Palenque is kicking in free breakfast tacos after Spurs playoff win.

So many ways to celebrate as the Silver & Black’s Race for Seis.

Go Spurs Go.

Welcome to the Thread. Join in the conversation, start your own discussion, and share your thoughts. This is the Spurs community, your Spurs community. Thanks for being here.

Our community guidelines apply which should remind everyone to be cool, avoid personal attacks, not to troll and to watch the language.