The Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers meet for the first matchup of a back-to-back set tonight. It’s time to continue our NBA odds series and make a Celtics-Sixers prediction and pick.
The Celtics hold an overall record of 8-4 and are 7-5 against the spread. Boston is coming off a blowout loss to the New York Knicks.
The 76ers stand at 9-5 overall, but they are only 7-6-1 against the spread. In the Sixers' most recent game, they fell to the Memphis Grizzlies in a tight contest.
Here’s how sportsbooks have set the opening Celtics-Sixers odds.
NBA Odds: Celtics-Sixers Odds
Boston Celtics +5Â (-115)
Philadelphia 76ers -5 (-105)
Over 221.5 Points (-105)
Under 221.5 Points (-115)
Why The Sixers Could Cover The Spread
After a hot start, the Sixers have been frustrating bettors over their last few matchups.
Without Ben Simmons, they were blown out by the Atlanta Hawks. When Simmons returned, they were barely able to defeat a Miami Heat team ravaged by COVID-19.
Sixers fans might've thought they turned a page in a blowout win over the Heat in the next matchup, but Philadelphia (sans Joel Embiid) promptly lost to the Grizzlies.
The good news for Philly bettors is they expect to have both of their stars in this game, with Simmons and Embiid both suiting up.
When both Sixers stars suit up, the team has been excellent.
Philadelphia has played 10 games with both of their All-Stars in the starting lineup. In those games, they are 9-1, with the sole loss coming against the Brooklyn Nets.
The average margin of victory in those games? 10.1 points.
The Sixers will be helped further by the absence of Jayson Tatum, the Celtics' leading scorer.
Against a Celtics team that has struggled offensively, missing Tatum will be a critical blow. The Sixers already hold teams to the third-lowest field-goal percentage in the league, and Boston could struggle to score without their go-to guy. Five points could be eclipsed quickly if the Celtics can't produce good looks against an efficient Philly defense.
Why The Celtics Could Cover The Spread
While the Celtics will be playing without Jayson Tatum, you could make an argument that Tatum hasn't even been their best player this season.
Jaylen Brown has been a key part of the Celtics' success this season, averaging career-highs in points (26.9), rebounds (7.1), and assists (3.8).
Boston will miss Tatum on the floor, but they have guys capable of stepping up in his absence.
Kemba Walker will play his second game of the season, giving the C's another scoring threat. Walker struggled to find his shot in his first game back against the New York Knicks, but he should improve incrementally as he regains his footing.
Additionally, the Celtics have thrived as underdogs this season. Vegas has ticketed Boston as an underdog five times this season, and the Celtics won four of those games straight up.
Boston needs a big performance out of Brown today if they want to stay in this game and an excellent defensive performance. If the Celtics can make Embiid work for his points down low and keep the game slower paced, they can pull an upset on the Sixers home floor.
Final Celtics-Sixers Prediction & Pick
While the Sixers have been inconsistent lately, their record when they have both their stars healthy is hard to bet against. Even if Brown has a big game, the Celtics might not have enough to keep up with both Embiid and Simmons. I'll take the team that has their MVP candidate playing to cover the small spread.
FINAL SCORE PREDICTION: PHI 113, BOS 103
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