The Boston Celtics welcome the Philadelphia 76ers to TD Garden on Friday evening. The Celtics have the Eastern Conference's best record at 14-4, while the 76ers enter at 12-6 overall. The two teams split a pair of matchups in Philadelphia earlier this season. Kristaps Porzingis (calf) is out of action for the Celtics. Joel Embiid (illness) is listed as questionable for the 76ers, with Kelly Oubre Jr. (rib) ruled out.
For this game, SportsLine consensus lists the Celtics as 6.5-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 224.5 in the latest 76ers vs. Celtics odds. Before you make any Celtics vs. 76ers picks, you'll want to see the NBA predictions from SportsLine's proven 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 five-plus seasons. The model enters Week 6 of the 2023-24 NBA season on an 86-50 roll on all top-rated NBA picks dating back to last season, returning more than $3,000. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.
The model has set its sights on Sixers vs. Celtics and locked in its NBA predictions. You can head to SportsLine to see its picks. Here are several NBA odds and betting lines for Celtics vs. Sixers:
- 76ers vs. Celtics spread: Celtics -6.5
- 76ers vs. Celtics over/under: 224.5 points
- 76ers vs. Celtics money line: Celtics -262, 76ers +213
- Philadelphia: The 76ers are 5-3 against the spread in road games
- Boston: The Celtics are 6-2 against the spread in home games
- 76ers vs. Celtics picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the 76ers can cover
Tyrese Maxey has performed as one of the best guards in the NBA this season, averaging 27.0 points and 6.7 assists per game. Maxey is making 39.6% of his attempts from 3-point range, and he is averaging 30.7 points per game over his last three outings. Philadelphia's offense is clearly elite, scoring 1.2 points per possession to rank in the top three of the NBA. Philadelphia also uses the free throw line better than any team in the league.
The 76ers lead the NBA in free throw creation (27.8 per game) and free throw accuracy (85.6%), and Philadelphia is in the top eight of the league in second-chance points (15.9 per game) and fast break points (17.0 per game). Philadelphia is also in the top 10 of the league in points in the paint, field goal percentage, 3-point percentage and turnover avoidance. On defense, Philadelphia is also above-average, and the 76ers are comfortably in the top eight of the NBA in both blocked shots (6.5 per game) and steals (8.3 per game). See which team to pick here.
Why the Celtics can cover
The Celtics are led by one of the best forwards in the NBA in Jayson Tatum. He is averaging 27.7 points and 8.8 rebounds per game this season, and Tatum enters this game with career-best shooting efficiency (61.7% TS). He has eight games with at least 30 points this season, and Tatum is the centerpiece of a team that leads the NBA with a +9.7 net rating. Boston has also been dominant at TD Garden, maintaining an unbeaten record with dominant fashion, and the Celtics have two-way strengths.
On defense, the Celtics are allowing only 1.07 points per possession with excellent metrics across the board. Opponents are shooting only 43.9% from the field against Boston while generating fewer than 19 free throw attempts per game. The Celtics are also excellent on the defensive glass, securing 73.3% of available rebounds. On offense, Boston makes more than 15 3-pointers per game and shoots almost 58% inside the 3-point arc. The Celtics also avoid turnovers, committing only 13.6 per game, and that helps Boston to maintain its transition defense. See which team to pick here.
How to make Celtics vs. 76ers picks
The model has simulated Sixers vs. Celtics 10,000 times and is leaning Over the total, projecting 230 combined points. It also says one side of the spread hits over 50% of the time. You can only see the picks at SportsLine.
Who wins Sixers vs. Celtics, and which side of the spread hits in over 50% of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to see the picks, all from the model that is on an 86-50 roll on top-rated NBA picks, and find out.
