jayson-tatum-usatsi-celtics.jpg
USATSI

On Wednesday evening, the Philadelphia 76ers look to build on an impressive performance with a strong follow-up. Led by James Harden, the 76ers upset the Boston Celtics in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals on Monday. Boston aims to return the favor in Game 2 of this 2023 NBA playoff series at TD Garden in the only postseason game of the night. Joel Embiid (knee) is officially listed as doubtful but is expected to suit up, while Marcus Smart (chest) is listed as questionable.

Caesars Sportsbook lists Boston as 8.5-point favorites at home, and tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET. The total number of points Vegas thinks will be scored, or the over/under, is 216 in the latest 76ers vs. Celtics odds. Before you make 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 with 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 76ers vs. Celtics and just locked in its picks and NBA playoff predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Here are several NBA betting lines and trends for 76ers vs. Celtics:

  • 76ers vs. Celtics spread: Celtics -8.5
  • 76ers vs. Celtics over/under: 216 points 
  • 76ers vs. Celtics money line: Celtics -365, 76ers +285
  • PHI: The 76ers are 25-18-1 against the spread in road games 
  • BOS: The Celtics are 26-19 against the spread in home games 
  • 76ers vs. Celtics picks: See picks at SportsLine

Why the 76ers can cover

Philadelphia's offense was unbelievably impressive in Game 1, especially when accounting for Embiid's absence. The 76ers scored 1.29 points per possession in the game, which is doubly impressive on the road against an elite defense. The Sixers turned the ball over on fewer than 9% of offensive possessions and secured almost 32% of available offensive rebounds in the game, and they produced a 63.1% true shooting mark. James Harden was the centerpiece with 45 points and seven made 3-pointers, and Philadelphia also found its footing on defense in the second half.

The 76ers held the Celtics to only 1.04 points per possession after halftime, and Philadelphia generated 10 steals in the game. That comes after a first-round performance in which Philadelphia allowed fewer than 1.03 points per possession against Brooklyn, and the 76ers finished in the top eight of the NBA in defensive efficiency during the regular season. Opponents shot only 34.8% from 3-point range against Philadelphia over 82 games, and the 76ers finished in the top six in assists allowed and second-chance points allowed. See which team to pick here.

Why the Celtics can cover

The Celtics fell short in Game 1, but the offense was able to put up incredibly strong numbers. Boston scored almost 1.28 points per possession in the game, shooting 59% from the field and garnering 31.3% of available offensive rebounds. The Celtics were led by Jayson Tatum, who had 39 points and 11 rebounds, and Boston also showed its offensive upside in the first round against Atlanta. Boston scored almost 1.19 points per possession while shooting 51.2% from the field against the Hawks, and the duo of Tatum and Jaylen Brown gives the Celtics versatility and explosiveness.

Boston traditionally has a strong home-court advantage, as evidenced by a +10.1 net rating at TD Garden during the regular season, and the Celtics put together an elite offensive profile during the regular season. That included the No. 2 offensive rating (117.3) in the NBA, and the Celtics finished in the top six of the league in 3-pointers per game, 3-point accuracy, 2-point accuracy, and free throw accuracy during the 2022-23 regular season. See which team to pick here.

How to make 76ers vs. Celtics picks

SportsLine's model is leaning Over on the total, with five players projected to score at least 19 points. The model also says one side of the spread has all the value. You can only see the model's NBA playoff picks at SportsLine.

So who wins Celtics vs. Sixers? And which side of the spread has all the value? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the 76ers vs. Celtics spread you need to jump on Wednesday, all from the model that is 71-38 on its top-rated NBA picks this season, and find out.