The Philadelphia 76ers head to Boston to face the Celtics on Christmas Day at 5:00 PM ET on ABC and ESPN. Can the Celtics cover the 8.5-point spread as home favorites? Keep reading for our 76ers vs. Celtics betting prediction.
The Philadelphia 76ers are 10-17 straight up in the regular season this year. They are 10-17 ATS this season.
The Boston Celtics are 22-7 straight up in the regular season this year. They are 11-18 ATS this season.
76ers vs. Celtics Matchup & Betting Odds
591 Philadelphia 76ers (+8.5) at 592 Boston Celtics (-8.5); o/u 221.5
5:00 p.m. ET, Wednesday, December 25, 2024
TD Garden, Boston, MA
TV: ABC/ESPN/ESPN+
76ers vs. Celtics Public Betting Information
Our NBA Public Betting Information page indicates that 57% of public bettors are currently backing the 76ers when it comes to the spread. This information is subject to change throughout the day, however, so be sure to check the link so you’re receiving the most up-to-date public betting data.
Philadelphia 76ers Daily Fantasy Spin
76ers forward KJ Martin (foot) and guard Jared McCain (knee) will both miss Wednesday’s road date with the Celtics. McCain was averaging 15.3 points per game in 25.7 minutes per contest this season before getting injured. He could be back in March.
Philadelphia backup center Andre Drummond (toe) is questionable to play on Wednesday. The veteran out of UConn is averaging 6.9 points and 8.0 rebounds per game this season.
Sixers shooting guard Eric Gordon (mouth) is probable to play against the Celtics on Wednesday. The former Rocket is putting up 5.0 points per game in 16.6 minutes per contest this year.
Boston Celtics Daily Fantasy Spin
Celtics small forward Jayson Tatum (illness), point guard Derrick White (hamstring), and point guard Jrue Holiday (shoulder) are all officially listed as questionable to play against the 76ers on Wednesday. Tatum leads the team in scoring (28.8 points per game) and rebounding (9.3 rebounds per game) this season.
If White and/or Holiday are forced to sit out, Celtics reserve guard Payton Pritchard would likely take on an increased role. Pritchard is in the midst of a breakout season. The Oregon product is averaging 15.7 points per game in 28.6 minutes per contest primarily off the bench this year.
76ers vs. Celtics NBA Betting Trends
Philadelphia is 6-4 ATS in their last 10 games overall.
Philadelphia is 31-28 ATS after a win since the start of last season.
Boston is 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games overall.
Boston is 41-46-4 ATS in conference games since the start of last season.
76ers vs. Celtics NBA Prediction:
This is a good spot for Philly. Most people think they aren’t going to win a game like this in Boston on Christmas Day. The oddsmakers clearly don’t. Three of Boston’s top six scorers are listed as questionable for this contest (Jayson Tatum, Derrick White, and Jrue Holiday) and the Celtics are still favored by nearly 3 possessions.
A couple of numbers bolster the case for the Sixers. Philadelphia is 32-25 ATS as the road team and 41-29 ATS when playing on 1 day of rest since the start of last season. What’s more, the Sixers are 42-36 ATS in conference games and 39-31 ATS when playing an opponent on equal rest since the beginning of last season. I think this is too many points, so I’m taking the Sixers on the road in Boston on Wednesday.