The Boston Celtics aim for a commanding advantage in the Eastern Conference semifinals on Sunday afternoon. Boston takes on the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 4 of the series, with the Celtics leading 2-1. The Celtics won Game 3 by a 12-point margin on the road on Friday, reclaiming home-court advantage. Joel Embiid (knee) is officially listed as questionable for the 76ers. Marcus Smart (ankle) and Blake Griffin (back) are listed as questionable for the Celtics.
Tipoff is at 3:30 p.m. ET in Philadelphia. Caesars Sportsbook lists Boston as the 1.5-point favorite, while the over/under, or total number of points Vegas thinks will be scored, is 214 in the latest Celtics vs. 76ers odds. Before locking in any 76ers vs. Celtics picks, you need to see the NBA playoff predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's advanced computer 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 -1.5
- Celtics vs. 76ers over/under: 214 points
- Celtics vs. 76ers money line: Celtics -125, 76ers +105
- BOS: The Celtics are 25-20 against the spread in road games
- PHI: The 76ers are 26-17-1 against the spread in home games
- Celtics vs. 76ers picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the Celtics can cover
Boston's two-way prowess has been on full display to this point in the series. The Celtics are holding the 76ers to 108.8 points per 100 possessions across three games. Boston has a stellar 75.4% defensive rebound rate in the series, and Philadelphia is averaging only 17.0 assists per game while shooting less than 44% from the field.
On offense, Boston has been even better, scoring more than 1.24 points per possession. The Celtics have the best offensive rating (120.6) in the 2023 NBA playoffs, and Boston also leads the league with a 62.4% true shooting mark. Boston is averaging only 12.4 turnovers compared to 26.8 assists per game in the postseason, and the Celtics were in the top three of the NBA in offensive rating (117.3) and defensive rating (110.6) in 2022-23 overall. See which team to pick here.
Why the 76ers can cover
The 76ers are under pressure in Game 4, needing a win at home. Philadelphia went 29-12 at home during the regular season, and the 76ers can rely on two-way strengths. Philadelphia led the NBA in 3-point accuracy (38.7%) and free throw accuracy (83.5%) during the regular season, and the 76ers are shooting 39.1% from 3-point range and 87.8% at the free throw line in the playoffs. Philadelphia is also securing 31.6% of available offensive rebounds with only 12.6 turnovers per game in the playoffs, and the 76ers have Embiid on their side.
Embiid won the 2022-23 NBA MVP award after leading the NBA in scoring (33.1 points per game), and he exploded for 30 points, 13 rebounds, and four blocked shots in Game 3. The 76ers scored 1.17 points per possession during the regular season, a top-four mark in the NBA, and Philadelphia is also excelling in key defensive categories during the playoffs. That includes only 39.4 points allowed in the paint, 9.4 second-chance points allowed, and 18.6 free throw attempts allowed per game. See which team to pick here.
How to make Celtics vs. 76ers picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Over on the total, projecting 222 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread has all the value. You can only see the model's picks at SportsLine.
So who wins Celtics vs. 76ers? And which side of the spread has all the value? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Celtics vs. 76ers spread you need to jump on Sunday, all from the model that is 71-38 on all top-rated NBA picks this season, and find out.
