Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics Predictions, Odds, Picks

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

6 minute read

Nov. 30, 2021

Eytan Shander
VI Betting Expert
VegasInsider.com

Back home but still struggling, the Celtics look to take advantage of another team dealing with an equally disappointing slow start in the Sixers. Philadelphia is in Boston Wednesday night for a 7:30 p.m. ET tip on NBATV.

Score Prediction

76ers 110, Celtics 107

Best Bets

76ers +2.5 (-110)

Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics Predictions

The Sixers needed a couple of free throws to get by the Orlando Magic, but don’t let that fool you, the team is slowly returning to form. It’s just going to take some time, much like the Celtics are still figuring out how to work Jaylen Brown back from his hamstring, the Sixers are doing the same with Joel Embiid in his return from COVID. We should expect the two top players on both teams to play, leaving the rest of the cast as a huge factor. The growth of Tyrese Maxey versus whether Dennis Schroder is even healthy to play speaks to how tough Boston’s night will be.

The Sixers should be able to get a ton of production – points and rebounds – in the paint asRobert Williams III may not go against Embiid. The wing matchups should be awesome to watch with Tobias Harris roaming all over the floor, plus shooters like Seth Curry can step into a leading scorer role.

Jayson Tatum and Brown are the Boston Celtics. The team is understandably night-and- day different with both of their superstars healthy. Brown did manage 27 minutes in Boston’s most recent game – a win in Toronto – but they will need more out of Brown against the Sixers. He just provides so much beyond just scoring 22 PPG, including a defensive presence on the perimeter to help slow down some of Philadelphia’s shooters.

If Schroder and Williams are a go, then Brown isn’t as relied upon for heavier minutes. At the end of the night Tatum is going to have to dominate this game for Boston to win. It’s possible, but Embiid has the better pathway to domination.

Both teams limped their way to 11-10 records this year, as injury to COVID has ravaged these squads. The Sixers are trending towards a fully healthy squad, one that should show a near complete sign of return against the Celtics. Boston struggled mightily last year whereas the Sixers’ disappointment came in the playoffs, after they cruised through the regular season.

With Embiid and Harris back from their respective bouts with COVID, and even a healthy Danny Green returning to the lineup. Philadelphia has defensive depth with Matisse Thybulle coming off the bench, and has a tough matchup in Maxey for both of Boston’s guards

Much like Philadelphia, Boston also struggled out of the gate. The key here is Brown’s health and how much they can push his minutes. Brown was only a GTD against the Raptors – a game that saw both Schroder and Williams sit. Al Horford and Josh Richardson are serviceable against weaker teams in the East, but just won’t be able to keep up with a healthy Sixers team.

Horford flamed out in Philadelphia and doesn’t have the defensive ability to stick with Harris. Without Williams, Embiid should do whatever he wants – as he may still do that with Williams on the floor. As Boston gets healthier, they should start their climb back up the eastern conference ladder. But until they no longer have to worry about Brown, it’s a long way up.

Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics Betting Odds

More Odds | Futures Odds

Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics Betting Resources

• Matchup: Atlantic
• Date: Wednesday, December 1, 2021
• Venue: TD Garden
• Location: Boston, Massachusetts
• TV-Time: NBATV - 7:30 p.m. ET

• Injury Report

Philadelphia 76ers Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

• SU: 11-10
• ATS: 10-11
• O/U: 8-13

Embiid averages 22.8 PPG, 10.3 RPG, and 4.0 APG. He’s shooting just under 43 percent from the floor. Harris adds 20.1 PPG and 8.4 RPG. He’s also averaging 3.9 APG and shooting 48 percent.

Maxey drops 18 PPG while dishing out 5 APG, he’s also shooting just under 48 percent. Curry is at 16 PPG off 51 percent shooting. Shake Milton and Georges Niang are each around 11 PPG, the final two Sixers players averaging double figures.

Boston Celtics Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

• SU: 11-10
• ATS: 11-9-1
• O/U: 8-12-1

Boston is led by it’s two superstars as Tatum averages 24.3 PPG, adding 8.5 RPG, and Brown puts in 22.4 PPG. Schroder is next with 17 PPG, adding 4.9 APG. Horford averages 12.5 PPG and 8.3 RPG, shooting 45 percent. Smart chips in 11.2 PPG and just under 6 APG. Williams is just under a double-double with 9.4 PPG and 9.6 RPG. Richardson is just under 10 PPG.

The Celtics have won 13 of their last 16 home games when facing the 76ers. (AP)

Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics Head-to-Head

The first matchup between these two teams will be Wednesday night in Boston. It’s the first of four games between the two Atlantic division rivals, as both teams enter with 11-10 records.

Key Players to Watch

• PHI: Joel Embiid - C (22.8 ppg, 10.3 rpg, 4 apg)
• PHI: Tyrese Maxey - PG (18 ppg, 5 apg)
• BOS: Jayson Tatum - SF (24.3 ppg, 8.5 rpg)
• BOS: Dennis Schroder - PG (17.1 ppg, 4 rpg, 4.9 apg)

Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics Betting Conclusion

So much of these two teams struggling has been the inconsistency of availability. It’s hard to break down metrics of a Sixers team that went a stretch without Embiid, Harris, Simmons (out), Curry, and Green. The same scenario exists without a healthy Brown for Boston.

The Under is a combined 16-25-1 for both teams, so maybe look to see a lower scoring game as both teams need this early season victory. Embiid has been strong in a recent stretch against Boston, hitting 25+ points in seven straight versus the Celtics.

Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics Betting Trends

• Boston has won 13 of its last 16 home games when facing Philadelphia.
• Boston has gone OVER the point total in four straight home games.
• Philadelphia has failed to cover the spread in three straight games.

VegasInsider Staff

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