76ers vs. Celtics Prediction & Odds
The third-seeded Philadelphia 76ers head back to Boston to take on the 2nd-seeded Celtics on ABC Sunday afternoon at 3:30 PM ET in Game 7 of the second round of the NBA playoffs.
Can the 76ers cover the 6.5-point spread as road underdogs?
The series is tied 3-3.
The Philadelphia 76ers went 54-28 in the regular season. They are 7-3 in the playoffs this year. The 76ers are 53-37-2 ATS on the campaign.
The Boston Celtics went 57-25 in the regular season. They are 7-5 in the playoffs so far. The Celtics are 53-41 ATS on the year.
Game Matchup & Betting Odds
509 Philadelphia 76ers (+6.5) at 510 Boston Celtics (-6.5); O/U 201
3:30 PM ET, Sunday, May 14, 2023
TD Garden, Boston, MA
76ers vs. Celtics Public Betting Information
Our NBA Public Betting Information page indicates that 73% of public bettors are currently backing the 76ers +6.5 in this contest. Note that these numbers are subject to change, so be sure to check the link to receive the most up-to-date public betting data.
Philadelphia 76ers DFS Spin
Philadelphia shooting guard James Harden has been a difference-maker in this series. In six games against the Celtics in these playoffs, Harden is averaging 24.2 points, 8.2 assists, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.7 made three-pointers per game. He will have a lot to gain from a big performance on Sunday, and I believe he’ll be up for it. Harden is worth considering in DFS as a result.
If you’d rather opt for a more cost-effective DFS option at shooting guard, consider the 76ers’ De’Anthony Melton. Melton is averaging 8 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and 1.8 made three-pointers per game in 10 playoff contests this season.
Boston Celtics DFS Spin
Boston point guard Marcus Smart will likely be an X-factor on Sunday. For the playoffs, Smart is putting up a stat line of 16.6 points, 5.2 assists, 4.2 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and 2.3 made three-pointers per game. He’s taken 12.2 shots per game in this series and will likely take at least that many on Sunday for better and for worse.
For a cheaper point guard option in DFS, Boston’s Malcolm Brogdon could work. Brogdon comes off the bench but is averaging 16.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 3.5 made three-pointers per game in this series. Brogdon’s DFS value is bolstered by his shooting percentages (44.4% from three and 84.6% from the free throw line in the playoffs), and he could be in for a big day at home in Game 7 this weekend.
76ers vs. Celtics NBA Betting Trends
Philadelphia is 10-3 ATS in their last 13 Sunday games.
Philadelphia is 8-3-1 ATS in their last 12 games overall.
Philadelphia is 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games following an outright loss.
Boston is 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following an outright win.
76ers vs. Celtics NBA Prediction
In a Game 7 scenario, the question often boils down to: Can the road team win a game in their opponent’s building? The answer for this series has been unequivocally “yes.” Philadelphia won Games 1 and 5 of this series in Boston. The 76ers were 8+ point underdogs in each contest. The Sixers have been good on the road of late as they are 5-1-1 ATS in their last 7 road games against a team with a winning home record and 5-1-1 ATS in their last 7 road games overall.
For the season, the 76ers are 26-19-1 ATS as a road team, and that’s the fourth-best mark in the league. One final stat drives the point home for Philadelphia: the 76ers have the second-best record in the league against the spread when playing an opponent on equal rest at 31-19-2. The 76ers may not win this game, but they won’t have to in order to cover the number. I’ll take Philly and the points on the road in Boston in Game 7 on Sunday.
NBA BETTING PREDICTION: PHILADELPHIA 76ERS +6.5
