The Boston Celtics host the Philadelphia 76ers for a pivotal 2023 NBA playoff matchup on Tuesday evening. Boston and Philadelphia are knotted at 2-2 in a best-of-seven second-round matchup. TD Garden showcases the matchup, with Boston aiming to bounce back after a Game 4 loss on Sunday afternoon. Joel Embiid (knee) remains listed as questionable for the 76ers, though he played in the last three games after the injury kept him out of Game 1.
Caesars Sportsbook lists Boston as 7.5-point favorites at home, 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 213.5 in the latest 76ers vs. Celtics odds. Before locking in any Celtics vs. 76ers 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:
- 76ers vs. Celtics spread: Celtics -7.5
- 76ers vs. Celtics over/under: 213.5 points
- 76ers vs. Celtics money line: Celtics -292, 76ers +235
- PHI: The 76ers are 25-19-1 against the spread in road games
- BOS: The Celtics are 27-19 against the spread in home games
- 76ers vs. Celtics picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the 76ers can cover
Philadelphia's defense has tremendous metrics in key categories so far in the playoffs. The 76ers are grabbing 77.1% of available defensive rebounds in the postseason, and Philadelphia is allowing only 9.4 second-chance points per game to opponents. The Sixers are also giving up only 19.0 free throw attempts and only 39.8 points in the paint per game. The 76ers finished with a top-eight defensive rating (112.7) in the NBA, and Philadelphia was in the top six in 3-point defense and second-chance points allowed per game.
On offense, the 76ers are explosive, and the duo of James Harden and Embiid combined for 76 points on tremendous efficiency in Game 4. Philadelphia scored an impressive 1.17 points per possession during the regular season, and the 76ers are shooting 39.0% from 3-point range with only 12.1 turnovers per game so far in the playoffs. See which team to back at SportsLine.
Why the Celtics can cover
Though the series is tied, Boston is out-scoring Philadelphia by more than 10 points per 100 possessions through four games. Boston has the best offensive profile of any team in the 2023 NBA playoffs, scoring more than 1.2 points per possession, and the Celtics also bring it on defense. Boston prides itself on being able to deploy versatile lineups that are absent of weaknesses, and the Celtics are holding opponents to 45.1% shooting from the field in the playoffs.
Boston is also leading the Eastern Conference Playoffs with 7.4 blocked shots per game, and opponents are averaging only 18.6 free throw attempts and 21.7 assists per game. The Celtics finished No. 2 in the NBA in defensive rating (110.6) during the regular season while leading the league with a 74.6% defensive rebound rate. Boston can also rely on its top-five regular season marks in opponent shooting and free throw prevention, in addition to a raucous home crowd at TD Garden. See which team to pick here.
How to make Celtics vs. 76ers picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Over on the total, projecting 219 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread hits well over 50% of the time. You can only see the model's picks at SportsLine.
So who wins Celtics vs. 76ers? And which side of the spread hits well over 50% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Celtics vs. 76ers spread you need to jump on, all from the model that is 71-38 on all top-rated NBA picks this season, and find out.
