Sixers vs. Celtics Game 2 player props highlight the lone NBA Playoff tilt on tonight’s slate. The Sixers took Game 1 behind a vintage 45-point showing by James Harden. Joel Embiid, the 2023 NBA MVP, is expected to return to the floor after missing time with a knee sprain.
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Sixers vs. Celtics Game 2 Odds, Props, Picks
Note: Odds and lines for NBA playoff player props and games. Be sure to check the best NBA betting sites for the most up-to-date numbers before finalizing your wager(s).
Sixers vs. Celtics Game 2 Player Props
Jaylen Brown Over 24.5 Points
The Celtics were stunned in Game 1 by the undermanned Sixers. There are multiple adjustments Boston needs to make, including getting Brown on track. Brown made the most of his 10 shots, hitting eight and going 3 of 4 from distance.
However, he was out-shot by Malcolm Brodgon (16) and finished with a lower usage rate than Brogdon and Marcus Smart. It’s difficult to imagine another passive performance from Brown in a near must-win situation.
Jayson Tatum Under 3.5 Three-Pointers
This isn’t to suggest a poor game from Tatum, who tallied 39 points in Game 1. That included four of five from deep. He’s shooting 38.5% from three throughout the postseason on 9.3 attempts.
From a purely statistical forecast, Tatum needs to attempt about nine threes to give him a good shot at four makes. It’s a number he’s capable of reaching, but in this particular contest, there’s reason to anticipate Brown enjoying hefty volume as well. Tatum will still get his, but perhaps he falls back to 20-21 shot attempts as opposed his 25 from in Game 1.
James Harden Under 21.5 Points
Even with Harden’s 45-point outburst, he is still “only” averaging 22.8 across five postseason contests. He went Over 21.5 in two of those.
Thirty shot attempts and a 42.3% usage rate in this type of postseason setting is Yeoman’s work, to put it lightly. Harden only attempted 20-plus shots four times this season. It’s quite a bit to ask for another dose of heavy lifting for the 33-year-old, especially with Embiid slated to return.
Tyrese Maxey Over 2.5 Three-Pointers
Maxey attempted 24 shots in Game 1, nine from three-point range, and he’s a likely candidate to produce another heavy shot load. Consider Harden’s 30 attempts in Game 1 and Embiid’s return after missing a couple of contests.
It’s reasonable to anticipate plenty of shot volume and usage from Maxey – he posted a 34.4% usage rate in Game 1. He’s hitting 3.4 of 7.8 from beyond the arc across five postseason contests, and will be in good position to nail a trio of treys in Game 2.
