NBA: Philadelphia 76ers vs Boston Celtics Preview, Odds, Prediction

Is there a better way to spend the evening than to watch the Philadelphia 76ers and the Boston Celtics going against one another? The two bitter rivals will square off at the TD Garden, in one of the NBA’s classics, handing us a portion of an excellent basketball. Philly tops the Eastern Conference, while on the other side, the Celtics are way below their projected position, fighting for the playoffs. Apart from that, the history between these two franchises only adds more fuel to this matchup, which is why it had to be on our list for making a preview today.

Preview

Philadelphia 76ers (34-16, -115) lost to the Memphis Grizzlies at home on Sunday night, 116-100, which was quite a surprise, we need to say. After that match, the 76ers start a four-game road trip in Boston before heading to New Orleans, OKC, and Dallas, where they end the tough stretch that saw them playing away from home 10 times in the past 12 events.

Joel Embiid was back following his injury, but he didn’t play against the Grizzlies. Tobias Harris scored 21 points with 8 boars in 27 minutes, continuing his solid stretch in recent times. Harris dropped 21.6 points with 6.7 boards, and 57.5% shooting from the field in the previous 10 matches and was the leading force of the 76ers during Embiid’s absence.

Philly lost focus in the third period once they allowed Memphis to win that period with 45-29, pulling away and completely destroying Doc Rivers’s side. What needs to be mentioned is the fact that the 76ers shot 23.5% from the three-point territory, 8 for-34.

Boston Celtics (25-25, -105) are bidding to become the biggest disappointment of the year. We always write this and be sure that we will until they either start playing better or completely fail and become what we indicated in the first line. We, as well as the majority of the basketball fans, can’t believe how Brad Steven’s side plays.

Boston won the last two games, both at home, vs. Houston Rockets, 118-102, and the Charlotte Hornets, 116-86. They have three more at TD Garden, and a victory in each one is a must for them. If they continue to be inconsistent, the postseason will be a dream for the Cs.

Tatum had 22 points against the Hornets, Brown 17, the same as Fournier, who sunk four threes and six assists. Robert Williams III added 16, while Kemba and Marcus Smart both had 12 each.

Head to Head Games

The two sides had a back-to-back package in late January. On both occasions, the 76ers won. The first match was 117-109 and the second 122-110.

Prediction

If Embiid plays, we have no other option but to back up the 76ers’ win tonight. Even though many believe that this match will be close, we share the opinion that the Process’s appearance on the court is going to bring a massive edge to the guests, because the Cs haven’t got a player able of restraining the MVP candidate.

The line for the total number of points is set at 223 points, and to be honest, this could go either way, so stick to our original prognosis.