76ers vs. Celtics Predictions, Odds, Preview

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

5 minute read

Apr. 6, 2021

by Michael Crosson
NBA Expert
VegasInsider.com

Eastern Conference NBA action will resume on Monday night with the Celtics set to host the Sixers during the first matchup on TNT’s nationally televised slate.

So, VI is getting you ready with a variety of betting resources to help handicap all the evening’s top contests.

76ers vs. Celtics Betting Resources

Matchup: Eastern Conference
Expert Picks: Vegas Insiders
Venue: TD Garden
Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Date: Tuesday, Apr. 6, 2021
Time: 7:40 p.m. ET
TV: TNT
Bet: BetMGM | betrivers |FanDuel |bet365 |DraftKings |Best Sportsbooks

Betting Odds - 76ers vs. Celtics

Line Movements

Subject to Change

Spread: Philadelphia -1
Money-Line: 76ers -120, Celtics +100
Total: 223

The Celtics head into Tuesday’s matchup as a 1-point underdog against the visiting Sixers, which snaps Boston’s five-game streak of being listed as a favorite.

While the total for this contest currently sits at OU 223 – with both matchups between Boston and Philadelphia so far this year going ‘over’ the number set for Tuesday’s affair.

Jaylen Brown and the Celtics look to avenge a pair of January road losses to the 76ers on Tuesday night. (AP)

76ers vs. Celtics Current Form-Last Game

The Sixers enter Tuesday having won and covered the spread in two of their last three games – with Philadelphia’s victories during that timeframe coming against the Timberwolves and Cavaliers.

Philadelphia’s most recent affair resulted in a 16-point loss to the Grizzlies, which was a contest Joel Embiid did not participate in – after making his return to action during the Sixers’ victory over Minnesota on Saturday.

Despite withstanding a subpar month of March, the Celtics head into Tuesday’s contest boasting wins in four of their last six games – with Boston’s only losses across that stretch coming in tough, non-conference matchups against Dallas and New Orleans.

The Celtics' most recent contest resulted in a 30-point win over the Hornets – as four different Boston players eclipsed 15 points during a blowout victory for Jayson Tatum and company.

76ers vs. Celtics Head-to-Head

Jan. 22, 2021 - 76ers 122 vs. Celtics 110, Philadelphia -4.5, Over 220.5
Jan. 20, 2021 - 76ers 117 vs. Celtics 109, Philadelphia -4.5, Over 220

Philadelphia has won both of its matchups against the Celtics so far this year – as Boston’s defensive strategy for containing Embiid has been practically nonexistent during the first two meetings between these teams.

In the first of Philadelphia’s victories, Embiid went off for 42 points on 12-19 from the field on the way to a nine-point win for the Sixers (PHI -4.5).

The second matchup was also all about Embiid, as "The Process" fell just short of the point-total he achieved a few days prior – racking up 38 points on 11-15 from the field during another win and cover for the Sixers (PHI -4.5).

(SU-Straight Up, ATS - Against the Spread, OU - Over-Under)

Philadelphia 76ers Betting Outlook

Inside the Stats (2020-2021)

Overall: 34-16 SU, 27-21-1 ATS, 25-25 OU
Road: 14-11 SU, 11-13-1 ATS, 10-15 OU

Philadelphia played the second half of March without Embiid in the lineup – as the University of Kansas product needed a 10-game rest period to recover from the knee injury that he suffered against the Wizards last month.

The Sixers seemed relatively unaffected by their big man’s most recent stint of absences though – considering Philadelphia posted a record of 7-3 SU across that 10-game stretch, with their only losses during that span coming in matchups against the Bucks, Nuggets, and Clippers.

Embiid sat out for ‘load-management’ during Philadelphia’s most recent affair against the Grizzlies. Unfortunately for Boston though, "The Process" is expected to be active for Tuesday’s tilt against the Celtics.

Boston Celtics Betting Outlook

Inside the Stats (2020-2021)

Overall: 25-25 SU, 24-26 ATS, 25-25 OU
Home: 15-9 SU, 14-10 ATS, 10-14 OU

Boston’s mediocrity has continued over its latest stretch of games – with the Celtics currently holding a record of 6-8 SU across their last 14 matchups, which has landed them just a half-game ahead of the Knicks for the 7th spot in the Eastern Conference playoff picture.

The Celtics are winning games here-and-there, and when everything comes together form them, it looks great – so it is hard to say that everything is broken in Boston. The Celtics seem to get consistently exposed by “good” teams though, so Tuesday night should serve as another solid benchmark for Brad Stevens’ guys.

The over-under has split dead-even at 25-25 in matchups containing Boston so far this year. Make note though, the total has stayed 'under' in five consecutive Celtics’ games.

Key Injuries

Philadelphia 76ers

PG Tyrese Maxey: Quarantine - Probable
PG George Hill: Thumb - Out

Boston Celtics

PF Semi Ojeleye: Hip - Probable
C Tristan Thompson: Quarantine - Out

Player Prop Best Bet

Joel Embiid – Over 26.5 Points (-104)

Embiid played just 28 minutes during his return from injury against the Timberwolves on Saturday night, but he managed to keep himself busy while the Sixers cruised to victory – putting up 24 points on 6-14 from the field while playing on a reduced minutes regimen.

Prior to the knee injury he suffered back in March, Embiid had scored 27 or more points in 14 of his last 18 games – placing him right at the forefront of the MVP-race at that time.

I’ll back Embiid to have his first big game on the scoreboard since his absence in a rivalry matchup against the Celtics here.