Given little hope of getting past the high-powered Celtics going into this second-round matchup, the Sixers turned in another character performance in Tuesday’s 115-103 win in Boston to reclaim a 3-2 series lead.

The Sixers’ success has failed to move oddsmakers, who have listed them as 2.5-point home underdogs on the Thursday NBA odds. However, Philadelphia has finally emerged as betting chalk on the NBA playoff series prices, sporting -192 odds. Once perched as a dominating -833 favourite to win this series, the Celtics have tumbled to +142 longshots. The trend towards higher scoring is not reflected in the total, which is pegged at a series-low 212.

Celtics vs. 76ers NBA Playoffs Betting Odds

With Tuesday’s victory, the 76ers have now topped Boston in four of six overall contests after losing outright in each of their four previous meetings. However, Philadelphia has taken home the win in just three of six home dates with the Celtics, and split the first two games of the series played at Wells Fargo Center including a crushing 114-102 defeat in Game 2. Game 5 saw another win for sports bettors taking the OVER, which has paid out in four of the first five games of the series.

Overall, Philadelphia is 3-1 in their past four second-round Game 6 appearances while Boston is just 1-5 in their past six when playing Game 6 on the road in second-round action.

Boston Celtics

The Celtics fell behind early, and their fourth-quarter rally proved to be too little, too late in Tuesday’s 115-103 loss. Hobbled by dismal 39.8% shooting from the field, the Celtics trailed by as many as 15 points in the second quarter and saw that deficit increase to as many as 21 points in the final frame as the TD Garden voiced their displeasure with a chorus of boos.

Jayson Tatum remained the Celtics’ top producer, racking up a game-high 36 points and adding 10 rebounds to record a third straight double-double. However, it took a huge effort to generate those totals after the early NBA Finals MVP candidate missed his first six shots on the night. He ended by going just 11-for-27 overall. Jaylen Brown proved to be the tram’s most efficient shooter on the night, going 9-for-16 for 24 points, but just 3-for-8 from the line. Conversely, veteran big man Al Horford took a big step back, going pointless on 0-for-7 shooting while seeing his minutes dramatically cut for the second time in as many home appearances.

Philadelphia 76ers

The Sixers enjoy a golden opportunity to rewrite a losing narrative that dates back a generation when they hit the hardwood for Game 6. Eventual losers in their past six appearances in the second round, the 76ers enter Game 6 with a second-round series lead for the first time in 22 years. And an enormous portion of the credit for the Sixers’ success must go to Joel Embiid.

With his expected recovery time from a knee injury suffered in the first round originally being measured in weeks, little was expected from “The Process” in his early return to action. However, the newly crowned NBA MVP has responded with an epic performance, capped by his 33-point outing on Tuesday night. Embiid has now averaged 32.3 points per game over the past three contests, and has also averaged over 10 boards over that stretch. Tyrese Maxey got in on the action with his strongest outing of the series, dropping 30 points including six threes. James Harden saw his seesaw production continue with just 17 points, but played a huge playmaking role while tallying 10 assists.

Game 6 Prediction: Who Will Win Celtics vs. 76ers?

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Celtics Team Leaders

BOS

Points	Jayson Tatum 30.07
Assists	Marcus Smart 6.26
Rebounds	Jayson Tatum 8.77
FG%	Robert Williams III 74.7
Steals	Marcus Smart 1.52
Blocks	Robert Williams III 1.37

PHI

Points	Joel Embiid 33.08
Assists	James Harden 10.66
Rebounds	Joel Embiid 10.15
FG%	Saben Lee 75
Steals	De'Anthony Melton 1.64
Blocks	Joel Embiid 1.7

BOS

Points	Jayson Tatum 27.15
Assists	Jayson Tatum 5.25
Rebounds	Jayson Tatum 10.5
FG%	Luke Kornet 87.5
Steals	Marcus Smart 1.25
Blocks	Al Horford 1.7

PHI

Points	Joel Embiid 23.67
Assists	James Harden 8.27
Rebounds	Joel Embiid 9.78
FG%	Jaden Springer 100
Steals	James Harden 1.82
Blocks	Joel Embiid 2.78

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

76ers Team Leaders

BOS

Points	Jayson Tatum 30.07
Assists	Marcus Smart 6.26
Rebounds	Jayson Tatum 8.77
FG%	Robert Williams III 74.7
Steals	Marcus Smart 1.52
Blocks	Robert Williams III 1.37

PHI

Points	Joel Embiid 33.08
Assists	James Harden 10.66
Rebounds	Joel Embiid 10.15
FG%	Saben Lee 75
Steals	De'Anthony Melton 1.64
Blocks	Joel Embiid 1.7

BOS

Points	Jayson Tatum 27.15
Assists	Jayson Tatum 5.25
Rebounds	Jayson Tatum 10.5
FG%	Luke Kornet 87.5
Steals	Marcus Smart 1.25
Blocks	Al Horford 1.7

PHI

Points	Joel Embiid 23.67
Assists	James Harden 8.27
Rebounds	Joel Embiid 9.78
FG%	Jaden Springer 100
Steals	James Harden 1.82
Blocks	Joel Embiid 2.78

Injuries

Boston

Malcolm Brogdon (SG)

Prob Mon Forearm - 25 / 05 / 23

Malcolm Brogdon (SG)

Prob Fri Forearm - 17 / 05 / 23

Marcus Smart (PG)

Prob Sun Ankle - 06 / 05 / 23

Blake Griffin (PF)

Prob Sun Back - 05 / 05 / 23

Marcus Smart (PG)

Ques Wed Chest - 02 / 05 / 23

Marcus Smart (PG)

Prob Sun Tailbone - 22 / 04 / 23

Al Horford (C)

Prob Sat Back - 08 / 04 / 23

Robert Williams III (C)

Prob Sat Knee - 08 / 04 / 23

Derrick White (PG)

Prob Fri Ankle - 06 / 04 / 23

Malcolm Brogdon (SG)

Prob Sat Back - 06 / 04 / 23

Philadelphia

Tyrese Maxey (PG)

day-to-day Ankle - 01 / 05 / 23

Danuel House Jr. (SF)

Prob Mon Illness - 20 / 04 / 23

Jalen McDaniels (PF)

Prob Thurs Illness - 19 / 04 / 23

Dewayne Dedmon (C)

Prob Sat Undisclosed - 14 / 04 / 23

Danuel House Jr. (SF)

Prob Sat Foot - 12 / 04 / 23

James Harden (SG)

Prob Sat Achilles - 08 / 04 / 23

Tobias Harris (SF)

Prob Sat Hip - 08 / 04 / 23

Georges Niang (SF)

Prob Sat Knee - 08 / 04 / 23

James Harden (SG)

Out Fri Rest - 07 / 04 / 23

Tobias Harris (SF)

Out Fri Rest - 07 / 04 / 23

Injuries

Boston

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Malcolm Brogdon (SG)	Prob Mon	Forearm - 25 / 05 / 23	2-1	0-3	+ -
Brogdon is nursing a partially torn tendon in his right forearm, but it is anticipated that he will be active versus the Heat in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals.
Malcolm Brogdon (SG)	Prob Fri	Forearm - 17 / 05 / 23	3-4	3-4	+ -
Brogdon is managing a right forearm strain, but it is likely that he will take on the Heat in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals.
Marcus Smart (PG)	Prob Sun	Ankle - 06 / 05 / 23	5-6	6-5	+ -
Smart is hobbled by a left ankle sprain, but it is likely that he will take on the 76ers in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Blake Griffin (PF)	Prob Sun	Back - 05 / 05 / 23	6-6	6-6	+ -
Griffin is tending to lower-back pain, but it is not expected to affect his status for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the 76ers.
Marcus Smart (PG)	Ques Wed	Chest - 02 / 05 / 23	6-7	7-6	+ -
Smart is nursing a chest contusion, leaving his status against the 76ers in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals up in the air.
Marcus Smart (PG)	Prob Sun	Tailbone - 22 / 04 / 23	8-9	11-6	+ -
Smart is hindered by a tailbone contusion, but it is projected that he will take on the Hawks in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Al Horford (C)	Prob Sat	Back - 08 / 04 / 23	12-9	13-8	+ -
Horford is nursing lower back stiffness, but it is projected that he will be available for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round against the Hawks.
Robert Williams III (C)	Prob Sat	Knee - 08 / 04 / 23	12-9	13-8	+ -
Williams is managing left knee soreness, but it is not expected to affect his status for the Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round with the Hawks.
Derrick White (PG)	Prob Fri	Ankle - 06 / 04 / 23	13-9	13-9	+ -
White has a left ankle sprain, but it is not expected to affect his availability for Friday's tilt with the Raptors.
Malcolm Brogdon (SG)	Prob Sat	Back - 06 / 04 / 23	13-9	13-9	+ -
Brogdon is hampered by lower-back soreness, but it is likely that he will bounce back in time to face the Hawks in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round.

Philadelphia

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Tyrese Maxey (PG)	day-to-day	Ankle - 01 / 05 / 23	4-3	4-3	+ -
Maxey exited Monday's game with an ankle injury, and it is unknown if he will return.
Danuel House Jr. (SF)	Prob Mon	Illness - 20 / 04 / 23	5-3	4-5	+ -
House Jr. is ailing from an illness, but it is anticipated that he will suit up against the Celtics Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Jalen McDaniels (PF)	Prob Thurs	Illness - 19 / 04 / 23	5-3	4-5	+ -
McDaniels is nursing an illness, but it is not expected to affect his status against the Nets in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Dewayne Dedmon (C)	Prob Sat	Undisclosed - 14 / 04 / 23	7-3	6-5	+ -
Dedmon has an unspecified ailment, but it is projected that he will participate in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Nets.
Danuel House Jr. (SF)	Prob Sat	Foot - 12 / 04 / 23	7-3	6-5	+ -
House Jr. has a foot injury, but it is likely that he will suit up against the Nets in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round.
James Harden (SG)	Prob Sat	Achilles - 08 / 04 / 23	8-3	7-5	+ -
Harden is managing a left Achilles injury, but it is not expected to affect his status for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Nets.
Tobias Harris (SF)	Prob Sat	Hip - 08 / 04 / 23	8-3	7-5	+ -
Harris is nursing a left hip injury, but it is expected that he will be in the lineup for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round against the Nets.
Georges Niang (SF)	Prob Sat	Knee - 08 / 04 / 23	8-3	7-5	+ -
Niang is tending to left knee soreness, but it is likely that he will partake in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Nets.
James Harden (SG)	Out Fri	Rest - 07 / 04 / 23	8-4	8-5	+ -
Harden will not face the Hawks on Friday as he will be given a day of rest.
Tobias Harris (SF)	Out Fri	Rest - 07 / 04 / 23	8-4	8-5	+ -
Harris is out of the starting lineup for Friday's matchup with the Hawks as he will be handed a day of rest.