A 2023 NBA playoff high-profile doubleheader will be showcased on Friday evening. The opener of the night pits the Boston Celtics against the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 3 of a second-round tilt. The Celtics and 76ers are tied at 1-1 after the first two games in Boston, with the series now shifting to Philadelphia. Joel Embiid (knee) is officially listed as questionable for the 76ers after returning to action in Game 2.
Caesars Sportsbook lists Boston as 2.5-point favorites, and tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. The total number of points Vegas thinks will be scored, or the over/under, is 216 in the latest Celtics vs. 76ers odds. Before you make any 76ers vs. Celtics picks, you need to see the NBA playoff predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's advanced computer simulation model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past four-plus seasons. The model entered the conference semifinals of the 2023 NBA playoffs a stunning 71-38 on all top-rated NBA picks this season, returning more than $2,800. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Celtics vs. Sixers and just locked in its picks and NBA playoff predictions. You can head to SportsLine to see its picks. Now, here are several NBA betting lines and trends for Sixers vs. Celtics:
- Celtics vs. 76ers spread: Celtics -2.5
- Celtics vs. 76ers over/under: 216 points
- Celtics vs. 76ers money line: Celtics -140, 76ers +118
- BOS: The Celtics are 24-20 against the spread in road games
- PHL: The 76ers are 26-16-1 against the spread in home games
- Celtics vs. 76ers picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the Celtics can cover
The Celtics have the best two-way profile of any team remaining in the playoffs. Boston held Philadelphia to 110.2 points per 100 possessions in the first two games, including the 76ers scoring fewer than 0.92 points per possession in Game 2. The Celtics allowed only 39.2% shooting and 20% shooting from 3-point range on Wednesday, and Boston was a top-five team in the NBA during the regular season in defensive rating, defensive rebound rate, opponent shooting, and free throw prevention.
On offense, the Celtics also finished in the top three of the NBA in offensive efficiency during the regular season, and Boston has the best offensive rating (120.8) in the 2023 NBA Playoffs. The Celtics lead the postseason in averaging 53.8 points in the paint per game, and Boston has a sparkling 62.8% true shooting mark. Boston is also generating more than 1.27 points per possession against Philadelphia in the series, shooting 52% from the field and 39% from 3-point range. See which team to pick here.
Why the 76ers can cover
Embiid returned for Philadelphia in Game 2, and he is the anchor of the team on both ends of the floor. Not only did Embiid lead the NBA in scoring on the way to the 2022-23 NBA MVP award, but he is the team's defensive centerpiece, and Embiid blocked five shots in his return. Philadelphia was a top-five offensive team in the league this season, scoring 117.0 points per possession, and the 76ers also bring tremendous defensive bonafides to the table.
The 76ers are giving up only 1.11 points per possession in the playoffs, allowing under 18 free throw attempts per game in that sample. Philadelphia leads the 2023 NBA Playoffs in second-chance points allowed (9.2 per game) and points allowed in the paint (40.7 per game), and the Sixers were in the top eight in defensive rating (112.7) this season. Opponents shot only 34.8% on 3-pointers against them over an 82-game sample, and the 76ers were well above-average in second-chance points allowed and turnovers created. See which team to pick here.
How to make Celtics vs. 76ers picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Over on the total, with five players projected to score more than 19 points. The model also says one side of the spread hits in over 50% of simulations. You can only see the model's picks at SportsLine.
So who wins Celtics vs. 76ers? And which side of the spread hits in over 50% of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Celtics vs. 76ers spread you need to jump on Friday, all from the model that is 71-38 on all top-rated NBA picks this season, and find out.
