The Boston Celtics (17-6) host the rival Philadelphia 76ers (18-7) Thursday at TD Garden in a marquee Atlantic Division showdown. Tip-off is set for shortly after 8 p.m. ET. 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
- SG Zhaire Smith (leg) out
Celtics
- SF Gordon Hayward (nose) is questionable after leaving Wednesday’s game against the Indiana Pacers.
- SG Marcus Smart (eye, illness) questionable
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 8:30 a.m. ET.
Prediction
76ers 106, Celtics 97
Moneyline (ML)
The 76ERS (+105) are the play as they enter on a three-game winning streak and a day off Wednesday. The Celtics had a four-game win streak snapped with a 122-117 road loss against the Indiana Pacers Wednesday, and now Hayward’s availability is questionable once again.
The Celtics and Sixers are both four games back of the Eastern Conference-leading Milwaukee Bucks. Boston remains perfect at 10-0 on home court while Philly is just 5-7 on the road. The 76ers won the first meeting of the season between the two 107-93 in the 2019 opener at home. Take the value with the road dogs as the healthier, and rested team.
New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the 76ers to win outright returns a profit of $10.50.
Against the Spread (ATS)
Stick with the moneyline rather than taking a lesser payout while backing the 76ers (+1.5, -110) to stay within a single point in the event of a loss or to win outright. It illustrates the value of the straight-up victory for the visitors. If you like the Celtics to win, the -110 odds to cover -1.5 and win by at least 2 points would be the better value than the -125 odds on the moneyline.
Boston is 14-7-2 against the spread overall and 7-2-1 ATS at home. Philly is 11-12-2 ATS overall and 4-7-1 on the road, but it will upset a tired and wounded opponent and win outright.
Over/Under (O/U)
Lean to the UNDER 210.5 (-105) with the Celtics on the second half of the back-to-back. The two sides played to a total of 200 points in their first meeting of the season. Hayward led the way for the Celtics with 25 points, while Smart had a team-high 8 assists. The two teams combine to average 220.5 points per game while allowing a combined total of 207.1.
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Esten’s NBA betting record: 78-63
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