The middle game on the NBA’s five-game Christmas slate is a potential Eastern Conference Finals preview as the Boston Celtics host the Philadelphia 76ers.
Boston is a 9.5-point favourite to win on the NBA odds.
76ers vs. Celtics NBA Betting Odds
Christmas Day is the NBA’s biggest regular-season day annually, and you will only see very good teams — at least those projected to be very good when the schedule is released each summer – and/or superstar players on the holiday.
Philadelphia has a terrible record right now but because of injuries to stars Paul George and Joel Embiid, although both are back now and should be fine for Wednesday. The latter, a former league MVP, has been limited to just eight games because of multiple issues and simply rest/injury management. At full health, the Sixers are legitimate NBA title contenders. Former long-time Raptors guard Kyle Lowry is a key reserve on the team.
Boston is of course the defending NBA champion and the +240 betting favourite to repeat. The Celtics probably can plan on working Christmas for the rest of the decade. They won by double digits at the Lakers on Dec. 25, 2023.
Because it’s a unique day for the NBA, it tries to schedule marquee matchups for a first time in a season and these rivals are meeting for the first time. For a point of comparison, they had met three times by this point a year ago. The Celtics won the season series 3-1. The 5 p.m. ET window is considered reserved for the best matchup on Christmas and that’s where this sits. These clubs haven’t met on Christmas Day since the 2018-19 season.
The Celtics are 7-3 SU and ATS in the past 10 meetings.
Philadelphia 76ers
The Sixers had superstar Joel Embiid for only 18 minutes on Monday but still managed to beat San Antonio 111-106 for a third win in four games. Embiid didn’t get injured again but was ejected for arguing with the officials but nothing that would get him suspended.
Tyrese Maxey became the offensive focal point with Embiid out and finished with 32 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists and had two crucial plays down the stretch as Philly rallied. Maxey has scored at least 20 points in six straight games and since Dec. 8 is one of only five players league-wide averaging at least 25 points, five assists and 1.5 steals per game.
Paul George had 19 points but continued to really struggle from the field at 6-for-16. He has looked little like his All-Star self this year. Two key reserves/sometimes starters, forward KJ Martin and backup centre Andre Drummond, both left with minor injuries. The team lost former Rookie of the Year betting favourite Jared McCain to a knee injury not long ago, and his season might be finished. Philly is 4-1 ATS in its past five away.
Boston Celtics
Boston played without MVP candidate Jayson Tatum on Monday and still was nearly a double-digit favourite in Orlando but lost 108-104 to a Magic team missing its two best players due to injury. Tatum isn’t hurt but was dealing with an illness and you know he wants to play in a national showcase game on Christmas, and I’d expect him to. In his last game, Tatum became the first Celtic in franchise history and the 12th NBA player all-time to post a 40/15/10 triple-double. He’s +1400 for league MVP.
Jaylen Brown had 35 points, two shy of a season high, in Monday’s loss as his usage always goes way up when Tatum sits – Brown had a whopping 29 shot attempts. The Celtics are on pace to obliterate every NBA single-season mark for 3-pointers, but they weren’t falling on Monday as the C’s logged season-lows in both makes (eight) and attempts (32). Orlando is a very good defensive team. Boston has not lost back-to-back games all season but is 1-4 ATS in its past five at home.
NBA Prediction: Who Will Win 76ers vs. Celtics?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time | fav | line | total |
---|---|---|---|
Opening 15 Aug 8:53pm | BOS | -4.5 -110 | O +226.5 -110 |
Closing 15 Aug 8:53pm | BOS | -4.5 -110 | O +222.5 -125 |
- Regular Season
76ers Team Leaders
Points |
27.59 |
Assists |
6.11 |
Rebounds |
8.53 |
FG% |
70.2 |
Steals |
1.87 |
Blocks |
1 |
Points |
26.94 |
Assists |
5.55 |
Rebounds |
8.59 |
FG% |
66 |
Steals |
1.22 |
Blocks |
1.64 |
- Regular Season
Celtics Team Leaders
Points |
27.59 |
Assists |
6.11 |
Rebounds |
8.53 |
FG% |
70.2 |
Steals |
1.87 |
Blocks |
1 |
Points |
26.94 |
Assists |
5.55 |
Rebounds |
8.59 |
FG% |
66 |
Steals |
1.22 |
Blocks |
1.64 |
Injuries
Joel Embiid (C)
Kyle Lowry (PG)
Eric Gordon (SG)
Joel Embiid (C)
Guerschon Yabusele (PF)
Kyle Lowry (PG)
Caleb Martin (SF)
Eric Gordon (SG)
Guerschon Yabusele (PF)
Paul George (SF)
Xavier Tillman (PF)
Kristaps Porzingis (PF)
Torrey Craig (SG)
Jrue Holiday (PG)
Payton Pritchard (PG)
Jayson Tatum (SF)
Sam Hauser (SF)
Al Horford (C)
Derrick White (PG)
Derrick White (PG)
Injuries
player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Joel Embiid (C) | Ques Tues | Knee - 10 / 02 / 25 | 0-2 | 1-1 | + - |
Embiid is battling a knee injury, and it is unclear if he will dress against the Raptors on Tuesday. |
|||||
Kyle Lowry (PG) | Out Wed | Hip - 10 / 02 / 25 | 0-2 | 1-1 | + - |
Lowry is managing soreness in his right hip, and he is not likely to take the court against the Nets on Wednesday. |
|||||
Eric Gordon (SG) | Out Wed | Wrist - 10 / 02 / 25 | 0-2 | 1-1 | + - |
Gordon is nursing a right wrist sprain, and he is not likely to participate against the Nets on Wednesday. |
|||||
Joel Embiid (C) | Ques Sun | Knee - 08 / 02 / 25 | 0-4 | 2-2 | + - |
Embiid is battling a left knee injury, and it is unclear if he will dress for Sunday's game against the Bucks |
|||||
Guerschon Yabusele (PF) | Prob Sun | Knee - 06 / 02 / 25 | 0-5 | 3-2 | + - |
Yabusele is nursing with a right knee soreness, but he is expected to participate against the Bucks on Sunday. |
|||||
Kyle Lowry (PG) | Ques Wed | Hip - 04 / 02 / 25 | 1-5 | 4-2 | + - |
Lowry is hobbled by a hip injury, and it is unclear if he will suit up against the Heat on Wednesday. |
|||||
Caleb Martin (SF) | Out Tues | Hip - 04 / 02 / 25 | 1-5 | 4-2 | + - |
Martin is hampered by a hip injury, and he is not expected to be active against the 76ers on Tuesday. |
|||||
Eric Gordon (SG) | Ques Wed | Knee - 02 / 02 / 25 | 2-5 | 5-2 | + - |
Gordon is battling a knee injury, and it is unclear if he will suit up against the Heat on Wednesday. |
|||||
Guerschon Yabusele (PF) | Prob Tues | Knee - 27 / 01 / 25 | 5-5 | 6-4 | + - |
Yabusele is laid up with a knee injury, but he is expected to be active against the Lakers on Tuesday. |
|||||
Paul George (SF) | Out indefinitely | Finger - 25 / 01 / 25 | 6-5 | 7-4 | + - |
George will miss an extended period due to an extensor tendon injury on his left fifth finger, and there is no timetable for recovery. |
player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Xavier Tillman (PF) | Out Wed | Knee - 12 / 02 / 25 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
Tillman is bothered by left knee inflammation, and he is unlikely to take the court against the Spurs on Wednesday. |
|||||
Kristaps Porzingis (PF) | Ques Mon | Illness - 09 / 02 / 25 | 2-1 | 2-1 | + - |
Porzingis left the lineup due to an illness, and it is unknown if he will face the Heat on Monday. |
|||||
Torrey Craig (SG) | Ques Wed | Ankle - 08 / 02 / 25 | 2-1 | 2-1 | + - |
Craig is managing a right ankle injury, and its is not clear if he will suit up for Wednesday's game versus the Spurs. |
|||||
Jrue Holiday (PG) | Out Wed | Shoulder - 05 / 02 / 25 | 3-2 | 3-2 | + - |
Holiday is hampered by a right shoulder impingement, and he is not likely to suit up against the Spurs on Wednesday. |
|||||
Payton Pritchard (PG) | Ques Tues | Illness - 02 / 02 / 25 | 3-3 | 4-2 | + - |
Pritchard is ailing with illness, and it has yet to be established if he will suit up against the Cavaliers on Tuesday. |
|||||
Jayson Tatum (SF) | Ques Wed | Knee - 28 / 01 / 25 | 5-4 | 6-3 | + - |
Tatum is dealing with a knee injury, and it is up in the air if he will be active against the Chicago on Wednesday. |
|||||
Sam Hauser (SF) | Prob Fri | Hip - 27 / 01 / 25 | 5-4 | 6-3 | + - |
Hauser is nursing a right hip impingement, and he is expected to be available against the Pelicans on Friday. |
|||||
Al Horford (C) | Prob Fri | Toe - 26 / 01 / 25 | 5-4 | 6-3 | + - |
Horford is dealing with a toe injury, and he is likely to suit up against the Pelicans on Friday. |
|||||
Derrick White (PG) | Ques Wed | Shin - 26 / 01 / 25 | 5-4 | 6-3 | + - |
White is dealing with a right shin contusion, and it is uncertain if he will play against the Chicago on Wednesday. |
|||||
Derrick White (PG) | Prob Sat | Knee - 24 / 01 / 25 | 5-6 | 7-4 | + - |
White is dealing with a knee injury, but he is projected to play against the Mavericks on Saturday. |
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 15 Aug 8:53pm BOS -4.5 -110 O +226.5 -110 Closing 15 Aug 8:53pm BOS -4.5 -110 O +222.5 -125 -
- Regular Season
76ers Team Leaders
Points 27.59
Assists 6.11
Rebounds 8.53
FG% 70.2
Steals 1.87
Blocks 1
Points 26.94
Assists 5.55
Rebounds 8.59
FG% 66
Steals 1.22
Blocks 1.64
-
- Regular Season
Celtics Team Leaders
Points 27.59
Assists 6.11
Rebounds 8.53
FG% 70.2
Steals 1.87
Blocks 1
Points 26.94
Assists 5.55
Rebounds 8.59
FG% 66
Steals 1.22
Blocks 1.64
-
Injuries
Joel Embiid (C)
Ques Tues Knee - 10 / 02 / 25Kyle Lowry (PG)
Out Wed Hip - 10 / 02 / 25Eric Gordon (SG)
Out Wed Wrist - 10 / 02 / 25Joel Embiid (C)
Ques Sun Knee - 08 / 02 / 25Guerschon Yabusele (PF)
Prob Sun Knee - 06 / 02 / 25Kyle Lowry (PG)
Ques Wed Hip - 04 / 02 / 25Caleb Martin (SF)
Out Tues Hip - 04 / 02 / 25Eric Gordon (SG)
Ques Wed Knee - 02 / 02 / 25Guerschon Yabusele (PF)
Prob Tues Knee - 27 / 01 / 25Paul George (SF)
Out indefinitely Finger - 25 / 01 / 25Xavier Tillman (PF)
Out Wed Knee - 12 / 02 / 25Kristaps Porzingis (PF)
Ques Mon Illness - 09 / 02 / 25Torrey Craig (SG)
Ques Wed Ankle - 08 / 02 / 25Jrue Holiday (PG)
Out Wed Shoulder - 05 / 02 / 25Payton Pritchard (PG)
Ques Tues Illness - 02 / 02 / 25Jayson Tatum (SF)
Ques Wed Knee - 28 / 01 / 25Sam Hauser (SF)
Prob Fri Hip - 27 / 01 / 25Al Horford (C)
Prob Fri Toe - 26 / 01 / 25Derrick White (PG)
Ques Wed Shin - 26 / 01 / 25Derrick White (PG)
Prob Sat Knee - 24 / 01 / 25Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Joel Embiid (C) Ques Tues Knee - 10 / 02 / 25 0-2 1-1 + - Embiid is battling a knee injury, and it is unclear if he will dress against the Raptors on Tuesday.
Kyle Lowry (PG) Out Wed Hip - 10 / 02 / 25 0-2 1-1 + - Lowry is managing soreness in his right hip, and he is not likely to take the court against the Nets on Wednesday.
Eric Gordon (SG) Out Wed Wrist - 10 / 02 / 25 0-2 1-1 + - Gordon is nursing a right wrist sprain, and he is not likely to participate against the Nets on Wednesday.
Joel Embiid (C) Ques Sun Knee - 08 / 02 / 25 0-4 2-2 + - Embiid is battling a left knee injury, and it is unclear if he will dress for Sunday's game against the Bucks
Guerschon Yabusele (PF) Prob Sun Knee - 06 / 02 / 25 0-5 3-2 + - Yabusele is nursing with a right knee soreness, but he is expected to participate against the Bucks on Sunday.
Kyle Lowry (PG) Ques Wed Hip - 04 / 02 / 25 1-5 4-2 + - Lowry is hobbled by a hip injury, and it is unclear if he will suit up against the Heat on Wednesday.
Caleb Martin (SF) Out Tues Hip - 04 / 02 / 25 1-5 4-2 + - Martin is hampered by a hip injury, and he is not expected to be active against the 76ers on Tuesday.
Eric Gordon (SG) Ques Wed Knee - 02 / 02 / 25 2-5 5-2 + - Gordon is battling a knee injury, and it is unclear if he will suit up against the Heat on Wednesday.
Guerschon Yabusele (PF) Prob Tues Knee - 27 / 01 / 25 5-5 6-4 + - Yabusele is laid up with a knee injury, but he is expected to be active against the Lakers on Tuesday.
Paul George (SF) Out indefinitely Finger - 25 / 01 / 25 6-5 7-4 + - George will miss an extended period due to an extensor tendon injury on his left fifth finger, and there is no timetable for recovery.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Xavier Tillman (PF) Out Wed Knee - 12 / 02 / 25 1-0 0-1 + - Tillman is bothered by left knee inflammation, and he is unlikely to take the court against the Spurs on Wednesday.
Kristaps Porzingis (PF) Ques Mon Illness - 09 / 02 / 25 2-1 2-1 + - Porzingis left the lineup due to an illness, and it is unknown if he will face the Heat on Monday.
Torrey Craig (SG) Ques Wed Ankle - 08 / 02 / 25 2-1 2-1 + - Craig is managing a right ankle injury, and its is not clear if he will suit up for Wednesday's game versus the Spurs.
Jrue Holiday (PG) Out Wed Shoulder - 05 / 02 / 25 3-2 3-2 + - Holiday is hampered by a right shoulder impingement, and he is not likely to suit up against the Spurs on Wednesday.
Payton Pritchard (PG) Ques Tues Illness - 02 / 02 / 25 3-3 4-2 + - Pritchard is ailing with illness, and it has yet to be established if he will suit up against the Cavaliers on Tuesday.
Jayson Tatum (SF) Ques Wed Knee - 28 / 01 / 25 5-4 6-3 + - Tatum is dealing with a knee injury, and it is up in the air if he will be active against the Chicago on Wednesday.
Sam Hauser (SF) Prob Fri Hip - 27 / 01 / 25 5-4 6-3 + - Hauser is nursing a right hip impingement, and he is expected to be available against the Pelicans on Friday.
Al Horford (C) Prob Fri Toe - 26 / 01 / 25 5-4 6-3 + - Horford is dealing with a toe injury, and he is likely to suit up against the Pelicans on Friday.
Derrick White (PG) Ques Wed Shin - 26 / 01 / 25 5-4 6-3 + - White is dealing with a right shin contusion, and it is uncertain if he will play against the Chicago on Wednesday.
Derrick White (PG) Prob Sat Knee - 24 / 01 / 25 5-6 7-4 + - White is dealing with a knee injury, but he is projected to play against the Mavericks on Saturday.