The Philadelphia 76ers (31-18) visit Beantown Saturday to play the Boston Celtics (32-15) at 8:30 p.m. ET at TD Garden. We analyze the 76ers-Celtics odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.
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76ers at Celtics: Key injuries
76ers
- C Joel Embiid (hand) available
- C Al Horford (knee) available
- SG Josh Richardson (hamstring) out
Celtics
- C Enes Kanter (hip) out
- PG Kemba Walker (knee) out
- C Robert Williams III (hip) out
76ers at Celtics: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 3:15 p.m. ET.
Prediction
76ers 107, Celtics 104
Moneyline (ML)
Philadelphia (-110) has won and covered all three games against Boston (-110) so far this season, including a 109-98 victory keyed by a 32-18 fourth quarter by the 76ers. They have really struggled away from home this season, going 1-10 as an away underdog, but their one win was Dec. 12 against the Celtics.
The 76ers are slightly better than the Celtics in games bookmakers project will be close. Philadelphia is 4-3-1 when getting 1-2.5 points and Boston is 2-3 when laying between those numbers. Finally, the 76ers play a tad better against division rivals than the Celtics. Philadelphia is 9-3 and Boston has a 6-5 record against Atlantic Division teams.
BET 76ERS (-110).
Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
No reason to fret about 1.5 points either way, in my opinion. Just stick with the 76ers’ moneyline bet and PASS on the spread.
Over/Under (O/U)
Both teams are elite defensively and play at a moderate tempo. Philadelphia is ranked third in defensive rating and 18th in Pace, while Boston is ranked fourth in defensive rating and 17th in Pace.
The Under is 5-0 in the Celtics’ last five games and 7-0 in the 76ers’ last seven games as an underdog. The absence of Walker puts the Celtics without their leading scorer. The way I see the game playing is Philadelphia keeping the pace slow and pounding the interior with its size advantage. Embiid and Horford can use their size to keep Celtics players out of the paint and run any 3-point shooters off the line.
TAKE UNDER 213.5 (-115).
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