The Philadelphia 76ers (34-18) visit the Boston Celtics (38-16) Wednesday at TD Garden in their 2nd meeting of the season. Tip-off will be at 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN).
The 76ers lost Sunday to the New York Knicks 108-97 as 4.5-point favorites, snapping their 2-game winning streak. Prior to that loss, the 76ers had won 8 straight road games. They’re still 30-22 ATS this season, among the best records in the NBA. Unfortunately, they could be without their top player as C Joel Embiid is uncertain to play due to a foot injury.
The Celtics bounced back from a bad loss to the Phoenix Suns by beating the Detroit Pistons convincingly, 111-99 to easily cover the 8.5-point spread. Despite going 3-4 in their last 7 games, the Celtics still own the best record in the NBA, a half-game clear of the Denver Nuggets.
The 76ers lost 126-117 to the Celtics in the season-opener on Oct. 18 as 2.5-point underdogs while the 216.5 Over connected.
76ers at Celtics odds
- Moneyline (ML): 76ers +160 (bet $100 to win $160) | Celtics -190 (bet $190 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): 76ers +4.5 (-110) | Celtics -4.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 223.5 (O: -112 | U: -108)
76ers at Celtics key injuries
76ers
- C Joel Embiid (foot) questionable
Celtics
- G Jaylen Brown (illness) probable
- F Luke Kornet (ankle) probable
- G Marcus Smart (ankle) out
- C Robert Williams (ankle) probable
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
76ers at Celtics picks and predictions
Prediction
Celtics 113, 76ers 110
Moneyline
This line could move depending on Embiid’s status, so it might be wise to wait for his official designation. I like the Celtics to win either way but if Embiid plays, the ML should move slightly in Philadelphia’s direction.
At -190, there isn’t a lot of value in taking the Celtics, who have been up and down in the last 2 weeks. I would PASS on the moneyline and instead bet on the spread.
Against the spread
The Celtics have struggled to cover the spread recently, going just 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games. They were favored in 9 of those 10 games, 7 times as favorites of 7.5 points or more, but they simply haven’t been blowing teams out.
The 76ers are 6-4 ATS in their last 10 games and are 7-5 ATS this season when getting 1-4.5 points, as they on Wednesday. I like the 76ERS +4.5 (-110) against Boston on the road where they’re 14-10 SU this season.
Over/Under
The Under is 6-4 in the Celtics’ last 10 games and 5-5 in the 76ers’ last 10, so the Under has been the better pick for these teams lately. It’s also been an even split, 5-5, in the last 10 meetings between these teams.
Bet the UNDER 224.5 (-108) in this one. The line could drop further if Embiid is ruled out, so 224.5 is a good number to take now.