76ers vs. Celtics NBA Picks, Predictions: Philadelphia, Boston Open 2022-23 Season
One of the Eastern Conference's top rivalries takes center stage as the opening game of the 2022-23 NBA season. Check out our top Philadelphia 76ers-Boston Celtics picks below.
The two Atlantic Division rivals split their 2021-22 regular-season series 2-2. Philadelphia was outed from the playoffs in Round 2 by the Miami Heat, while Boston made it the NBA Finals before losing to the Golden State Warriors in six games.
Doc Rivers is back to coach stars Joel Embiid and James Harden, and the rest of the 76ers. Joe Mazzulla steps in for the suspended Ime Udoka to coach the Celtics.
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Here are our 76ers-Celtics picks for Tuesday (odds via FanDuel Sportsbook, DraftKings Sportsbook, and PointsBet; pick confidence is based on a 1-to-5-star scale).
76ers vs. Celtics Game Info
Date: Tuesday, Oct. 18, 7:30 p.m. ET
TV: TNT
Location: TD Garden, Boston, MA
76ers vs. Celtics Odds
76ers vs. Celtics Odds Analysis
After opening as early 6.5-point favorites, Boston is favored by a consensus line of just 2 points as of Tuesday morning. However, that line remains as high as 3 at some sportsbooks. The 76ers have drawn 64% of the handle on 56% of the bets wagers on the spread.
The total is set at 214.5 and as high as 215 after opening at a consensus line of 230. Despite the line move, the Over is now the popular play with 67% of tickets accounting for 77% of the cash on that side.
Check out our top futures picks for the Celtics in 2022-23.
76ers vs. Celtics Picks
76ers vs. Celtics ATS Pick
76ers +2.5 (-110) ★★★★★
The Sixers went 3-1 against the spread during four meetings with the Celtics in 2021-22, including 1-1 on the road. Philly was 23-23-1 on the road, and Boston was 23-28-2 at home. However, the Celtics were 21-28-1 as the home favorite, and Philly was 10-9-0 as the away underdog.
We can’t rely on these fairly even trends to make our pick, so let's look at the teams’ offseasons.
Boston suspended coach Ime Udoka for the year, and defensive anchor Robert Williams is out for at least two months. The team added Malcolm Brogdon to run the second unit. Meanwhile, the Sixers plugged in De’Anthony Melton, PJ Tucker, and Montrezl Harrell, which should lead to defensive and scoring improvements while providing some much-needed depth. And after a rough finish in the playoffs, James Harden has slimmed down and looks to be in great shape to open the season.
In a divisional game with such a tight spread, pick the team with its arrow pointing up rather than one dealing with so many issues and injuries. I like the 76ers to cover and win outright.
76ers vs. Celtics O/U Pick
Over 214.5 (-110) ★★★★
The Over/Under record was split evenly at 2-2 when these two teams met in 2021-22. The Over hit in both games at Philly, with the Under cashing during each contest in Boston. But go with the Over now, despite this matchup being in Boston.
Williams will be out for Boston, leaving a glaring hole at center that Embiid and Harden can exploit. Brogdon should help Boston’s bench score more points, while Philly’s second unit is in line for an offensive uptick with the likes of Melton and Harrell in the mix.
This total isn’t a high-scoring mark to hit, and there’s no way I'm taking the Under with such a talented group of scorers on both teams.
76ers vs. Celtics Prop Pick
Harden double-double and 76ers win (+300) ★★★★★
Harden received some flack for his playoff performances against the Miami Heat. But he still produced strong regular-season numbers. The Beard averaged 22 points, 10.3 assists, and 7.7 rebounds while posting 42 double-doubles and 11 triple-doubles.
He registered 40 games with double-digit assists and 17 with double-digit rebounds, so Harden is well-positioned to produce a double-double. I love Philly to take this game straight up, and PointsBet is offering a great prop special that features a 76ers victory.
We’ll take this prop and cash it at spicy +300 odds.
Where to Bet on 76ers-Celtics Picks
Here are our top-rated sportsbooks:
76ers-Celtics picks made 10/17/2022 at 9:55 a.m. ET
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