76ers vs. Celtics Pick
Are the Philadelphia 76ers going to upset the host Boston Celtics tonight at 7:30PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, the Celtics are an 8-point favorite on the spread line. The over-under was not released overnight.
Philadelphia comes in at 12-8 overall and 14-6 ATS after a 118-113 home win over the Wizards. Boston is 18-4 overall and 17-4-1 ATS following a 118-108 home loss to the Pistons. The Celtics won the first meeting this season 102-92 at Philly on Oct. 20. Boston has won four of five meetings straight up since the start of last season. The over has gone 4-1.
The 76ers were paced by Ben Simmons as he registered 31 points and 18 points, both career-highs. He also set an NBA record by attempting 24 free throws in the fourth quarter. Joel Embiid contributed 25 points, 14 rebounds, four assists and four blocked shots. Dario Saric accounted for 24 points, eight rebounds and two assists. Philadelphia outscored Washington 58-40 in the first half.
Marcus Smart recorded 23 points and six assists off the bench in the loss to Detroit. Kyrie Irving had 18 points, nine assists and four rebounds. Marcus Morris added 13 points, four rebounds and two assists. The Celtics were outscored 32-22 in the fourth quarter.
Philadelphia is 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings. The over is 6-1 in the last seven meetings.
Simmons wasn’t even cleared to play due to a sprained ankle until earlier in the day, yet he managed to have a career night. One day later, another tough task awaits in Boston. The Celtics are due for regression against the spread and after a decisive loss against the Pistons, it seems like the Sixers would have been a good candidate to do the same. But Embiid is being rested for this contest and it changed the dynamics entirely. Expect the Celtics to take advantage of more rest, being at home and a Sixers team without a star player.
NBA DAILY PREDICTION: BOSTON CELTICS -8