Joel Embiid’s absence has created a big spread in favour of Boston, along with a low total. However, the center leaves a huge gap defensively for the Sixers, and Boston can capitalise. The Celtics are a much stronger offensive side with Jayson Tatum back, and they’ve hit 113 points in five of their last six at home.

The Thunder thumped the Memphis Grizzlies by 51 points in the opening game of their 1-8 matchup a year ago. The Suns beat a second-string OKC by 32 last week, but the Thunder won three of the first four meetings by a combined 80 points. Phoenix played in the Play-In on Friday, and this is a difficult turnaround for them.

The two 8 seeds really struggled with the turnaround between the Play-In and Game 1 a year ago, and that’s likely to be a feature in this clash. The Pistons will be out to celebrate their successful regular season, with Cade Cunningham back and integrated into their starting lineup. Back them to ease past a Magic side that went through two difficult games over the last five days.

Portland may try to speed this game up, but they’ll have a hard time trying to control the tempo against a Spurs defence that ranks third in defensive efficiency. The Trail Blazers commit the highest average of turnovers per game at 16.5 per game. Against a team that is as long and tough defensively as San Antonio, this game could turn sideways if Portland does not control the basketball. The Spurs have been one of the best teams all season, and they picked up two wins by 11 points or more against Portland this term, without Victor Wembanyama featuring in either.

The Thunder thumped the Memphis Grizzlies by 51 points in the opening game of their 1-8 matchup a year ago. The Suns beat a second-string OKC by 32 last week, but the Thunder won three of the first four meetings by a combined 80 points. Phoenix played in the Play-In on Friday, and this is a difficult turnaround for them.

The two 8 seeds really struggled with the turnaround between the Play-In and Game 1 a year ago, and that’s likely to be a feature in this clash. The Pistons will be out to celebrate their successful regular season, with Cade Cunningham back and integrated into their starting lineup. Back them to ease past a Magic side that went through two difficult games over the last five days.

Portland may try to speed this game up, but they’ll have a hard time trying to control the tempo against a Spurs defence that ranks third in defensive efficiency. The Trail Blazers commit the highest average of turnovers per game at 16.5 per game. Against a team that is as long and tough defensively as San Antonio, this game could turn sideways if Portland does not control the basketball. The Spurs have been one of the best teams all season, and they picked up two wins by 11 points or more against Portland this term, without Victor Wembanyama featuring in either.