The Philadelphia 76ers travel to TD Garden to take on the Boston Celtics in both teams’ season openers. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET (TNT). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the 76ers vs. Celtics odds, and our expert NBA picks and predictions.
The 76ers come into this season after finishing 4th in the Eastern Conference last year. C Joel Embiid and former MVP G James Harden will lead this team with ultra-high expectations.
Expect to hear the name G Tyrese Maxey called often as both he and F Tobias Harris will be the key complementary pieces for this offense. Philadelphia dispatched the Toronto Raptors 4-2 in the opener round of the postseason last year but was bounced in the Eastern Conference Semifinals 4-2 by the Miami Heat.
The Celtics added G Malcolm Brogdon this offseason to help boost their championship aspiration. The often-injured C Robert Williams won’t be ready for the season opener.
F Jayson Tatum and F Jaylen Brown are the studs for Boston and will be given the bulk of the offensive responsibility. Boston had the best defensive rating last season. The Celtics lost the NBA Finals 4-2 to the Golden State Warriors.
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76ers at Celtics odds
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): 76ers +120 (bet $100 to win $120) | Celtics -150 (bet $150 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): 76ers +2.5 (-105) | Celtics -2.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 216.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)
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76ers at Celtics key injuries
76ers
- None
Celtics
- F Danilo Gallinari (knee) out
- C Robert Williams (knee) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
76ers at Celtics picks and predictions
Prediction
76ers 106, Celtics 104
Moneyline
PASS.
I like the 76ers, and while the money line odds are enticing, they did lose a game by 1 point last season, which happened to be the 1st of 4 meetings between these teams.
It should be a thriller but taking the points is the smarter move here.
Against the spread
LEAN 76ERS +2.5 (-105).
The 76ers would’ve covered this spread in 3 of the 4 matchups between these teams last season and in both of the battles in Boston.
Similarly, Harden has looked slimmed down and should be improved during his first full offseason in the City of Brotherly Love. Philly is also the far healthier team with Boston missing arguably its best defender with Williams sidelined which will result in Embiid taking on the 36-year-old C Al Horford. Expect the MVP candidate to get opportunities early and often.
The Celtics may also have some hangover after an NBA Finals run last season. I’d take the points with Philly here.
Over/Under
BET UNDER 216.5 (-112).
There’s not a ton of reason to think this will be super high scoring. Boston was the No. 1 defense in the NBA last season, jumping Golden State in the middle of the season.
Most of its key defenders will be active in G Marcus Smart and Brown. The 76ers had the 5th-lowest pace last year, and the Celtics had the 7th-lowest pace. These teams don’t try to get up and down the court much.
Philadelphia was 43-49-2 Over/Under last season while Boston was 51-54-1, so betting the Under for both teams would’ve been the more profitable wager. Considering it all, this is my favorite bet in the matchup.
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