76ers vs. Celtics | 2021 NBA Expert Analysis

The first game of a nationally televised NBA doubleheader on Tuesday features the rival 76ers and Celtics facing off from Boston in a potential playoff preview. The Sixers are short favorites on the NBA odds.

How to Bet Philadelphia at Boston NBA Odds & TV Info

When: Tuesday, 7:30 PM ET
Where: TD Garden
TV: TNT
Stream: TNT app
Radio:com

Season Series

The Sixers lead 2-0. The teams last met on Jan. 22 in Philadelphia and it was a 122-110 final score. The Sixers were led by Joel Embiid and his team-high 38 points and 11 rebounds while Tobias Harris scored 23 points and pulled down eight boards. Ben Simmons added a double-double with 15 points and 11 assists. Jaylen Brown tied his career high with 42 points for Boston. Overall, Boston leads the series 261-192.

Why Bet on Philadelphia? | 2021 NBA Expert Analysis

The Sixers gave All-Star center Joel Embiid Sunday’s game off – he should play here – and Philly was upset at home by Memphis 116-100. The Grizzlies took charge in the third by outscoring the Sixers 45-29. Memphis ended its impressive period ahead 97-71. The Grizzlies made 16 of 22 field goals, including 7 of 12 3-pointers, in the quarter.

Coach Doc Rivers said besides missing Embiid, Philadelphia was worn down from their recent schedule. The 76ers returned from a six-game, 12-day road trip on Friday and turned around to play home games on consecutive nights.

Tobias Harris hit 8-of-14 shots to finish with 21 points, three assists, eight rebounds, one block, and two turnovers. Harris didn’t make a 3-pointer for the fourth time in six games. Ben Simmons struggled in the loss with just seven points, four assists and seven rebounds. The seven points were his fewest total since January 12 and his six field-goal attempts were his fewest since January 20. Simmons only played 26 minutes because of the lopsided game.

Shake Milton had 14 points, Mike Scott had nine points filling in for Embiid and Dwight Howard had nine points and 12 rebounds. In addition to Embiid, young guard Tyrese Maxey was out in the COVID protocols. Maxey did not play against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday due to a coach’s decision.

“(It’s) just the protocols, an inconclusive test,” Coach Doc Rivers said of Maxey sitting Sunday. “It was a shame, too, because this was the night where whenever Joel (Embiid) is out, we slide him into the rotation. He can’t get a break right now so it is what it is.” Rivers coached the Celtics from 2004-13 and led Boston to its last NBA title in 2008.

The Sixers acquired veteran guard George Hill from the Oklahoma City Thunder on March 25 at the trade deadline. Hill has not played since Jan. 24 due to a thumb procedure he underwent to repair an issue to make sure that the issue will never pop up again. It’s not likely that Hill plays Tuesday.

Why Bet on Boston? | 2021 NBA Expert Analysis

The Celtics won their second in a row Sunday, 116-86 over Charlotte. The Celtics trailed by nine in the first quarter before taking command in the third, outscoring the Hornets 40-27 for a 28-point lead. Boston made 21 3-pointers. The 30-point loss was the Hornets’ worst of the season. Charlotte was without three of its top scorers. LaMelo Ball (fractured right wrist) and Malik Monk (sprained right ankle) were joined by Gordon Hayward on the injured list Friday after he sprained his right foot during a win at Indiana.

Jayson Tatum had 22 points and eight rebounds to lead Boston. Robert Williams hit 7-of-9 shots, and 2-of-2 free throws for 16 points, eight rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block. The center spot is clearly his going forward after the Celtics dealt Daniel Theis at the deadline. Jaylen Brown had 17 points and six rebounds, while trade acquisition Evan Fournier added 17 points and six assists. Boston outscored Charlotte by 24 points while Fournier was on the floor, giving him the top plus/minus rating of the night.

Fournier is 13-for-22 over the last two games. “There’s a lot of things he does,” head coach Brad Stevens said. “No. 1, he’s a guy who can put the ball in the basket, and the other team knows that. So they have to put one of their better defenders on him. It all has a trickle-down effect, and I just think that’s why we need as many guys that can do that as possible and still be able to play together and be able to play with the right flow, the right pace and everything else.”

Romeo Langford made his season debut after a wrist injury and entering protocol and had thee points in 12 minutes. One specific need that the Celtics have been looking to address is their play on the defensive end, which was where Langford excelled the most Sunday. It was no coincidence that his arrival coincided with the team’s best defensive effort of the season, as it surpassed its previous low of 94 points allowed by an eight-point margin.

The team remains without big man Tristan Thompson as he is still working his way back after missing an extended period of time due to the league’s health and safety protocols.

Game Trends

76ers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up loss.
76ers are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games following a double-digit loss at home.
76ers are 10-3-1 ATS in their last 14 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Celtics are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games playing on 1 days rest.
Celtics are 3-10 ATS in their last 13 games following a ATS win.
Celtics are 3-12 ATS in their last 15 games following a straight up win.