76ers vs Celtics Prediction
Here's everything you need to know about 76ers vs Celtics on Wednesday, Nov. 8, featuring our expert prediction and betting picks for today.
The Philadelphia 76ers look to hand the Boston Celtics their second consecutive loss in a contest between two of the Eastern Conference's best teams. With some of the best players in the NBA in this matchup, there should be plenty of fireworks in this game.
Let's get to our 76ers vs Celtics prediction and pick.
76ers vs Celtics Pick
Pick: Sixers +2.5 | Sprinkle Sixers Moneyline
Celtics Betting Analysis
The Celtics lost a heartbreaker in overtime against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday for their first loss of the season. The team should be whole for this game, though, and they definitely have missed Derrick White (Probable – Personal) who should return for this contest. White immediately improves their defense, both on ball and team defense, which is critical for disrupting Tyrese Maxey.
Boston has thrived this season and has the best Adjusted Net Rating (+8.7), per Dunksandthrees, which is still slightly inflated due to the 155-104 beatdown they laid on the Indiana Pacers, but the team is still incredible. Their two primary lineups have been dynamic. Holiday, White, Brown, Tatum, and Porzingis is a +38.3 while the same lineup sans White with Horford is +13.3, per Cleaning the Glass. Both lineups are tremendous and should be their primarily used lineups in this game.
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A few notable Boston props related to Jrue Holiday. Holiday's Usage has sharply declined this season at just 19.9% compared to 28% last year with Milwaukee. He is scoring much less this season, 13.7 ppg, and has even seen his assists drop to 5.3 per game.
His assists prop is set at 6.5, and it's too high. He has only exceeded this line in two games, one of which was without Derrick White. On the flip side, Holiday has seen his rebounding spike. He is averaging 7.7 per game which is by far the highest number in his career and he is leading the team in Rebound Chances per game (14.5), per NBA Advanced Stats.
His Rebounds prop is set at 4.5, and he has hit that in five straight games with the one miss in the opener against the Knicks when he had 4.
76ers Betting Analysis
The 76ers made waves when they shipped James Harden out to the Los Angeles Clippers, but now they have some stability in the roster for the foreseeable future. The loss of Harden has unlocked Tyrese Maxey, who is now the favorite to win the league's Most Improved Player Award while averaging 25.5 points, 7.3 assists, and 4.5 rebounds per game.
Another player that has improved is Joel Embiid. He has taken steps forward with his game, particularly his ability as a passing big. Some of this is due to Nick Nurse's offense, which uses Embiid for dribble hand-offs, and he has picked up a number of easy assists. His prop line currently sits at 4.5 assists, a number he has exceeded in five of six games this season while averaging 6.2 per game.
This Philadelphia team is a contender. They have the third-best Adjusted Net Rating (+4.4), and they have played some tough competition in the Bucks and Suns this season as well. I think Philadelphia may miss PJ Tucker in this specific matchup; however, Kelly Oubre does give them better spacing on the offensive side of the ball. Those lineups with Maxey, Melton, Oubre, Harris, and Embiid have scored an impressive 126.3 points per 100 possessions, per Cleaning the Glass.
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Celtics vs 76ers Odds
| Celtics Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-2.5 -110 | 227.5 -110o / -110u | -150 |
| 76ers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+2.5 -110 | 227.5 -110o / -110u | +126 |
This is going to be a must-watch game that may have playoff implications with tiebreakers later in the season. While Boston has been a dominant force so far this season, we just saw them face their first bit of adversity this season in their OT loss to the Wolves.
I think the market is underrating Philadelphia in this spot. Both teams are posting elite Point Differential numbers and even though their Adjusted Net Ratings are separated by about four points, I have these teams evenly matched. Additionally, Philadelphia gets to play this as their fifth straight home game while Boston has had to travel from Brooklyn, to Minnesota, and now back east to Philadelphia since Saturday before heading home to Boston. Philadelphia's home court advantage is more significant given Boston's travel.
I'll grab the points with the home dog and sprinkle the Moneyline as well.
