The Boston Celtics will visit the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday night for Game 3 of an Eastern Conference semifinal series in the 2023 NBA playoffs. The series is tied at 1-1 after splitting the first two games in Boston. Wells Fargo Center hosts Game 3, with the 76ers winning 29 regular season games at home. Joel Embiid (knee) is officially listed as questionable for the Sixers after returning in Game 2.
Tipoff is in Philadelphia at 7:30 p.m. ET. Caesars Sportsbook lists Boston as the 2-point favorite on the road, while the over/under is 214 in the last Celtics vs. 76ers odds. Before deciding between Celtics and 76ers, check out the NBA playoff predictions and betting advice from SportsLine’s advanced computer simulation model.
The SportsLine projection model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has generated more than $10,000 in winnings for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past four seasons. The model entered the semifinals of the 2023 NBA playoffs this season with a stunning 71-38 on all top-rated NBA picks, netting more than $2,800. Anyone who follows it has seen huge returns.
Now the model has set its sights on Celtics vs. Sixers and his picks and NBA playoff predictions captured. You can go to SportsLine to see the choices. Now, here are several NBA bets and trends for Sixers vs. Celtics:
- Celtic vs. 76ers spread: Celtics -2
- Celtic vs. 76ers over/under: 214 points
- Celtic vs. 76ers moneyline: Celtics -135, 76ers +115
- BOS: The Celtics are 24-20 against the spread in road games
- PHL: The 76ers are 26-16-1 against the spread in home games
- Celtic vs. 76ers picks: See picks on SportsLine
Recommended game | Philadelphia 76ers vs Boston Celtics
Why the Celtics can cover
Boston’s offense is extraordinary, both in terms of passing the eye test and the numbers. The Celtics currently boast the best offensive efficiency (120.8 points per 100 possessions) in the 2023 NBA playoffs, and also lead the postseason with a 62.8% true shooting percentage and 53.8 points in the paint per match. Boston has been even better on offense in two games in this streak, scoring nearly 1.28 points per possession. The Celtics shoot 52.1% from the field and 39% from 3-point range in the first two games, and Boston made 20 3-pointers with just seven turnovers in a burst of Game 2 victory.
The Celtics also finished with the second best offensive rating (117.3) in the NBA during the regular season, making 16.0 three-pointers per game. Boston is led by a pair of dynamic wings in Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, both of whom averaged more than 26 points per game during the regular season, and the Celtics pressure opponents with lineups that have a minimum of four shooters on the floor. time. See which team to choose here.
Why the 76ers can cover
Philadelphia has strong defensive stats in the playoffs, including the league’s best numbers in paint points allowed and go-ahead points allowed per game. The 76ers are still electric on offense, though, and that’s especially true with Embiid’s return. Embiid is the 2022-23 NBA MVP winner after averaging 33.1 points per game this season. He returned with five blocked shots in 27 minutes in Game 2, anchoring the defense, and Embiid is great on both sides.
James Harden is also a star-level contributor to the perimeter for Philadelphia, averaging 28.5 points per game in the first two games after leading the NBA with 10.7 assists per game during the regular season. Philadelphia led the league in 3-point accuracy (38.7%) and free throw accuracy (83.5%) during the regular season, and the 76ers scored 1.17 points per possession, a top-five mark in the NBA . The 76ers also made fewer than 14 turnovers per game with top-10 scores in quick break points, field goal percentage, and free throw attempts in 2022-23. See which team to choose here.
How Celtics vs. 76ers choices
SportsLine’s model leans toward the total, with five players expected to score more than 19 points. The model also says that one side of the spread hits in more than 50% of simulations. You can only see the model choices at SportsLine.
So who wins Celtics vs. 76ers? And which side of the spread hits in more than 50% of the simulations? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Celtics vs. 76ers you have to jump on Friday, all of the model that’s 71-38 on all top-rated NBA picks this season, and find out.