The Boston Celtics (1-1) and Philadelphia 76ers (1-1) will square off in Game 3 in the first round of the NBA Playoffs tonight. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. ET from Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The game will broadcast live on Amazon Prime Video.
The Celtics are 7.5-point favorites over the Sixers on the spread (Celtics -7.5), with the over/under set at 215.5 total points. Boston is a -285 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Philadelphia is +230 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Celtics vs. 76ers predictions and NBA picks for Friday, April 24.
Celtics vs 76ers Prediction
- Celtics vs 76ers pick: Celtics -7.5 (-102)
My Celtics vs. 76ers Game 3 best bet is on Boston to cover the spread. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Celtics vs 76ers Game 3 Odds
| Celtics Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-7.5 -102 | 215.5 -110o / -110u | -285 |
| 76ers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+7.5 -118 | 215.5 -110o / -110u | +230 |
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Celtics vs 76ers NBA Playoffs Game 3 Preview
Philadelphia 76ers Betting Preview, Analysis
I don’t think the gap between these teams is that wide, and I think the Sixers have found enough of something to hang around — but, the spot is the problem.
The Sixers collapsed the paint on pick-and-rolls and ISOs in Game 2, which threw the Celtics into a high-variance game.
This Celtics team hasn’t taken as many three-pointers this year as they usually do; they rank just 4th in 3-point rate. They’re also not at the very top of the shooting charts; they’re 8th in 3-point percentage.
By making it into a shooting variance outcome, you open the door for the Celtics’ worst impulses to emerge.
With the Sixers returning home, their shooters have a chance to win the 3-point battle again. The Sixers only turned the ball over seven times in Game 2, and that’s a great recipe to keep the Celtics in front of you.
Adem Bona was excellent in switch coverage against Jayson Tatum in Game 2, after being too amped and picking up too early fouls in Game 1.
Boston Celtics Preview, Analysis
Here’s why I’m on the Celtics, though: Since 2018, when the Celtics are coming off a loss and they are road favorites, they are 11-1 SU and ATS.
Their only loss in that scenario was to the Heat in the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals, which was a truly baffling series.
That trend may only be 12 games, but it’s incredibly strong for a 12-game sample.
Celtics vs 76ers Pick, Betting Analysis
Spread: Celtics -7.5
The other problem is that the Sixers really shot above-station in Game 2; and the Celtics shot very far below.
It’s not that there’s a guarantee it reverses moving forward, but it’s enough to get me to lean toward Boston in this spot.
I make the spread for this game only Sixers +6.7, so I'm not totally in love with this play, but I’ll back the Boston to go back up 2-1 and retake home court in Game 3 tonight.
Total: Over 215.5 (Lean)
I make this total 216.2 so no big edge on the model, but I do lean towards the over.
Boston’s shooting should regress, and with the Sixers likely to make more as the series progresses after an outlier bad Game 1 — and then, this being Philly's first home game of the playoffs, where role players shoot better, the number probably should have gone up from open instead of down.
This is the second-slowest series so far, which shouldn’t come as a surprise given Boston’s glacial pace — but in Philly, the Sixers should get out and run more, which will boost the pace.
Player Prop: VJ Edgecombe Over 19.5 Points & Assists
The Celtics dared VJ Edgecombe to beat them in Game 2 — and he did. Boston defended him with Sam Hauser and Payton Pritchard, and Edgecombe vaporized them.
Even if the Celtics switch it up, it will just lead to more assist opportunities for the rookie standout, so I'm targeting the points & assists combo prop.
I also like Edgecombe over 5.5 field goal attempts, as he will continue to be aggressive after his breakout performance, even if it goes sideways with better defensive work from Boston this time around.
Moore's Celtics vs 76ers Best Bets
- Celtics -7.5 (-102)
- VJ Edgecombe Over 19.5 Points & Assists (-115)
