The first quarter of Game 5 is on Brett Brown.
The Sixers have a 3-1 lead over a team they are decidedly better than – even without Joel Embiid – and they need to close this out here and now. The Celtics and Bucks have already nailed shut first-round victories and the Raptors very well may be doing so an hour ahead of the Sixers Tuesday.
No need to prolong this. The Wells Fargo Center will become 700 Level-esque in its dealings with Jared Dudley. It is up to Brown to be sure the players in the locker room just play and play well and understand the negatives in having to go back to Brooklyn Thursday and the physical and mental strain that would cause.
Great teams do not go to Game 6.
He has this. The players have this. It will be done, and it will be done early.
Pick: Sixers First Quarter -7.5 (+245)
Pick: Sixers First Quarter Over 29.5 (-112)