Life hasn't been that great for the 76ers, who lost for the third time in four games with Sunday's 119-98 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. The same can't be said for the Celtics as they head into tonight's affair on an eight-game winning streak following a 116-102 victory against the New York Knicks over the weekend.
Boston is also currently Bovada's +250 favorite to win the 2023-24 NBA Finals while Philadelphia is in a three-way tie for eighth at +2500.
But the NBA Finals aren't for another few months, so let's focus on the present by getting into my 76ers vs. Celtics predictions & best bets for tonight.
76ers vs Celtics NBA Betting Trends
- Philadelphia is 4-11 straight up in its last 15 games.
- Boston is 14-5 straight up in its last 19 home games vs. Philadelphia.
- Philadelphia is 5-10 ATS in its last 15 games vs. Boston.
- Boston is 8-3-1 ATS in its last 12 games vs. the Atlantic Division.
- The total hit the Under in five of Philadelphia's last six games.
- The total hit the Under in 12 of Boston's last 18 games.
76ers vs Celtics Prediction & NBA Picks Today (2/27): Boston Wins Season Series
As the 76ers continue to be without Joel Embiid (knee) for the foreseeable future, the Celtics are the major odds-on favorite. Their -800 moneyline odds carry an implied win probability of 88.9%, further highlighting how oddsmakers are predicting a one-sided tilt.
Philadelphia also, unsurprisingly, struggles without its best player in the lineup, going 7-16 SU across 23 games that Embiid has missed this season. Additionally, the 76ers are 2-4 SU against the Celtics in games without Embiid since the start of the 2016-17 campaign, losing three of those encounters by two or more possessions.
The Celtics have also had the 76ers' number through their first three meetings of the 2023-24 campaign. Although Philadelphia notched a 106-103 win in the first encounter on Nov. 18, Boston earned a 117-107 victory just one week later before picking up a 125-119 win on Dec. 1.
Following those back-to-back victories, the C's are now 4-1 SU across their last five meetings with the Sixers.
Another missed game from Joel Embiid (knee) could spell disaster for the 76ers.
Even worse news for the 76ers is the fact that tonight's tilt takes place at TD Garden. There isn't a team in the NBA with a better home winning percentage than the Celtics (89.7%), who also boast a league-leading plus-13.7 average scoring margin in their own backyard.
Unfortunately, Philadelphia hasn't had much luck on its recent voyages to Beantown. The 76ers have dropped 14 of their last 19 road games against the Celtics, which includes going 1-3 SU with a minus-13.0 average scoring margin.
Another thing that could hurt the 76ers' chances for a win is their inability to guard the perimeter. They're allowing an average of 14.0 threes made on 39.3% shooting across their last 15 games, ranking 26th in both regards during that stretch.
The Celtics, meanwhile, are the most dangerous three-point shooting team in the Association, averaging 16.3 threes made (1st) while shooting 38.3% from deep (4th). For reference, Boston shot 16-for-33 (48.5%) from the three-point line when these Atlantic Division rivals met back in December.
Will the Celtics have more perimeter success against the 76ers tonight?
This game is one of those where you don't really want to overthink things. Yes, upsets happen all the time in sports, but I don't see the Celtics breaking a sweat tonight. The 76ers just aren't good or consistent without Embiid and the Celtics' stacked roster will only emphasize that.
I'm also feeling spicy, so let's take the Celtics to cover the 12.5-point spread, too. For starters, the 76ers are coming off a 21-point loss to the Bucks, who aren't as good as the Celtics. Secondly, the Sixers are boasting a whopping plus-18.1 average scoring margin across their eight-game heater.
With Boston also being 10-5 ATS in its last 15 games against Philly combined with Embiid's absence, the home team could win this game by a wide margin.
76ers vs Celtics Prediction: BOS wins
Best 76ers vs Celtics NBA Bet: BOS 12.5 (-105)
Best 76ers vs Celtics NBA Prop Bet (2/27)
You can't go wrong with several 76ers vs. Celtics player props, including taking Derrick White to record over 2.5 threes made.
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White is having a career year from the outside, averaging personal bests in threes made (2.7) and three-point percentage (40.2%). The veteran guard has finished with the Over on this prop 13 times in his last 15 outings, averaging 3.0 successful three-pointers with a 39.7% race — which also includes hitting the Over in each of his last four outings.
After already sinking at least a trio of threes in each of the three previous meetings with the 76ers this season, it's a no-brainer to back White again tonight.
Best 76ers vs Celtics Prop Bet: Derrick White o2.5 Threes Made (-110)
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