Celtics-76ers Under Bettors Avoid Overtime Moose

With the score at 87 apiece late in the fourth quarter of Celtics-76ers, under 206 bettors were perspiring, and hoping no OT.

So, when a Terry Rozier steal led to a Jaylen Brown layup to put Boston up to with 1.7 ticks on the clock, they probably felt good about their chances. While the Sixers have a ton of talent, they don't necessarily have a proven end-of-the-game closer. And when it came time to inbound the ball, down 87-89, I'm not sure anyone knew where the ball would end up.

Well, with the game on the line, you guessed it, the Sixers went to my guy from Bologna, Marco Belinelli, who proceeded to knock down a fadeaway jumper from a step inside the arc to force overtime. Bellissima.

Marco Belinelli sends it to OT. pic.twitter.com/J2UfmUzuoK

— MyNBAUpdate (@MyNBAUpdate) May 5, 2018

Nice shot, but, err, that's probably "goodnight Irene" for folks in the land down under.

Or, maybe not. In overtime, both teams missed their fair share of jumpshots — but the Celtics pulled away late, on the backs of Al Horford and Jayson Tatum, to win 101-98 at a sturdy price of +405. At least Belinelli didn’t hit that prayer to force double overtime.

Although any Celtics moneyline bettors out there are probably the biggest winners of the day, the under backers are the most relieved winners of the day. Which, in the end, is just as good.

Photo via Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports