Celtics-76ers: Best Bets for the NBA Matchup

The Boston Celtics have NBA odds of -150 at the Philadelphia 76ers tonight. Their NBA betting line is -2.5.

However, I believe the Celtics are going to win by an even larger margin. The Celtics have found a rhythm and have won eight straight games and 10 of their last 11. 

Two of those victories occurred since they traded for Derrick White, who may give them a boost as they sit sixth in the Eastern Conference. Meanwhile, the 76ers are still waiting on newly-acquired star James Harden to recover from injury.

Thus, I anticipate the Celtics will cover, but it will be in a low-scoring game. As both squads have been figuring out how to move forward with the new makeup of their rosters, neither has scored more than 108 points in their last two games. So for a bet on NBA games, I would go Under 209.5 points (-110).

Best Celtics-76ers Bets

Joel Embiid Under 31.5 points (-125)

Embiid has been superb this season, averaging an NBA-best 29.5 points. But his results against the Celtics have been mixed.

The 76ers center has scored 13, 41 and 25 points for an average of 26.3 in matchups with Boston. The Celtics have the frontcourt skill, led by Al Horford, to limit Embiid’s impact.

I would also go Under on 43.5 points and rebounds (-110) as he averaged a combined 40 in contests with Boston. However, I could see him going Over 2.5 steals and blocks (-105). That’s an easy threshold to clear considering he averages 2.7 blocks and 1.7 steals, respectively, against the Celtics.

Derrick White Over 13.5 Points (-110)

Boston’s trade for White from the San Antonio Spurs has appeared to have paid off so far.

The seasoned guard has scored 15 and 14 points in his first two games in a Celtics uniform off the bench. He provides a complement to the rest of the team’s rotation that features Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum and Marcus Smart.

For the season, White averages 14.4 points and has scored 15.5 in his last 10 games. It’s not a stretch to think he can follow it up with numbers like those against the 76ers.

Robert Williams III Over 10.5 Rebounds (+105)

Williams has been a critical presence for the Celtics down low as they’ve fought for playoff position.

He averages 10 points and 9.7 rebounds for the season. But in his last 10 games, he’s upped those numbers to 10.6 and 11.6, respectively.

The Celtics’ recent trades haven’t harmed his production, either. He has 14 and 16 boards in his last two outings. Williams is physical enough to compete with Embiid for enough boards to go Over on this bet.