The daily preview muscles into the paint with NBA Playoffs tips for the Game 7 decider between Philadelphia 76ers and Atlanta Hawks.
NBA Tips – Philadelphia 76ers V Atlanta Hawks
10:00 (AEST), Mon 21st Jun @ Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia
History: Played 400: 76ers 205 V Hawks 195
Last meeting: June 19, 2021 (Game 6): 76ers 104 d Hawks 99 at State Farm Arena
Final Thoughts: After staring a shock Eastern Conference Semi-finals series defeat in the face, Philadelphia 76ers head into Game 7 at home as resounding $1.33 favourites. But plucky, Trae Young-inspired Atlanta Hawks already have a pair of wins in Philly during this series and won’t die wondering in the decider.
The fast-starting Hawks snared a 128-124 Game 1 upset in Philadelphia, with Young putting up 35 points and 10 rebounds. Joel Embiid (39 pts, 9 reb, 4 ast) was huge for the Sixers in a beaten effort. The 76ers rallied with two convincing wins, 118-102 at home and 127-111 in Atlanta. Embiid went off for 40 points and 13 rebounds in Game 2 and was an all-round stud in Game 3 (27 pts, 9 reb, 8 ast).
But Young (25 pts, 18 ast) overcame a shaky start to lead the Hawks to a 103-100 victory at home in Game 4. The Hawks trailed by 18 late in the first half before steaming back.
Embiid toiled for 21 rebounds but shot just 4 from 20 from the floor (0 from 12 in the second half) in a tally of 17 points. Ben Simmons was panned for going missing in the Sixers’ second-half fadeout in Game 4.
Simmons was the main target of criticism again in Game 5 as the 76ers blew a 22-point halftime lead in a 109-106 loss in Game 5. Young (39 pts, 7 ast) led the Hawks’ comeback, while John Collins (19 pts, 11 reb) also had a big game. Embiid (37 pts, 13 reb, 5 ast) and Seth Curry (36 pts, 7 reb) were outstanding but the Sixers’ other starters managed just 20 points between them.
Their season on the brink, the 76ers carved out a 104-99 win in Game 6. After a quiet previous outing Tobias Harris (24 pts) backed up Embiid (22 pts, 13 reb) and Curry (24 pts) with his eighth 20-plus points performance in nine games. Tyrese Maxey (16 pts, 7 reb) shone off the bench.
Young (34 pts, 5 reb, 12 ast) couldn’t have done much more for his side, with Kevin Heurter (17 pts, 11 reb, 4 ast) also strong for the Hawks. Clint Capela continues to be a defensive beast, averaging 12 rebounds in the post-season and pulling down at least 8 in every game in these playoffs.
A key for the Hawks in Game 7 will be sharpshooter Bogdan Bogdanovic, who was very good across the first four games but has barely featured in the past two.
The 76ers are the more complete, multi-faceted and experienced team. They should book a Conference Finals berth against the Bucks with home-court advantage and Embiid being so dominant. But they have produced some baffling collapses in this series.
The Hawks are more than capable. And with four games in this series decided by five or less, I’ll take the underdogs with the points here.
Tip: Handicap – Hawks +7 @ $1.90
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