Celtics vs. 76ers: NBA odds, Picks and Predictions
Celtics vs. 76ers Odds
| Celtics Odds | -1.5 |
| 76ers Odds | +1.5 |
| Over/Under | 226 |
| Date | Sat, Feb. 25 |
| Time | 8:30 p.m. |
| TV | ABC |
On Saturday, the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers will headline the seven-game NBA slate, with a matchup on ABC at 8:30 p.m. EST. Entering play, Boston (43-17) owns the best record in the Eastern Conference, with Philadelphia (39-19) trailing them in the standings by three games. Oddsmakers are expecting a tightly-contested affair between these two teams tonight, pricing the Celtics as slim 1.5-point road favorites on the spread.
Boston Celtics
Getting healthy
Ahead of tip-off this evening, the Boston Celtics have no notable names on the injury report. This is a significant step for a team that has been without each of their four most important players at various points in the last month.
One consequence of being healthy is that Boston is likely to tighten their rotations down the stretch run of the regular season in pursuit of the Eastern Conference’s top playoff seed. In their first game after the All-Star break, Boston used only seven players for at least 25 minutes of action – Tatum, Brown, Smart, Horford, Williams III, Brogdon, White.
Competitive on the road
In 29 road games this year, the Celtics are an NBA-best 19-10 and are one of only five teams in the league to have a positive Net Rating outside of their home gym. On the season, Boston has impressive wins on the road against the Knicks, Grizzlies, Pelicans, Nets, Timberwolves, Mavericks, Warriors, and Raptors.
Since January 5, the Celtics are 8-3 on the road. In that span, two of their losses have come against the Miami Heat (by three points) and the Milwaukee Bucks (in overtime), with the latter coming on a night in which Boston didn’t have Tatum, Brown, Smart, or Horford available.
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Philadelphia 76ers
NBA-best run
Since December 9, the 76ers have the best record in the entire league, winning 27 of 34 contests. In that span, they are 17-3 on their home floor and have outscored their opponents by 7.3 points per 100 possessions. Still, Philadelphia is yet to completely figure things out on the defensive end of the floor, ranking 12th out of 30 teams in defensive efficiency across their last 20 home games.
Embiid off of the injury report
Tonight marks the second consecutive game in which Joel Embiid is not listed on the team’s official injury report ahead of tip-off. Following the extended All-Star break, Embiid appears to be trending towards 100% health after dealing with lingering foot soreness for over a month leading into the mid-season festivities.
In Embiid’s first game following the break, he played 39 minutes, scoring 27 points, in addition to collecting 19 rebounds and dishing out six assists. If he can be more efficient from the floor this evening, bettors could see him threaten to score 30 points.
Celtics vs. 76ers – Picks & Predictions
In a battle between two teams that are fighting for the top spot in the Eastern Conference standings, bettors should anticipate Boston and Philadelphia exerting slightly more effort on the defensive end of the floor on Saturday.
Since December 9, Boston ranks 19th out of 30 teams in pace on the road, and Philadelphia ranks 18th in pace at home. Expect a slower paced affair in this spot, making the under a worthwhile wager.
PICK: Under 226 (-108, FanDuel)
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