Each of the first two games was decided by just one point. Philadelphia edged Boston 117-116 in the season opener behind Tyrese Maxey’s 40 points, while Boston answered with a 109-108 win on Halloween. 

Both teams enter this one trying to gain traction in the Eastern Conference standings, as the Celtics sit at 5-6 and the Sixers at 6-4. With Joel Embiid returning from a night of rest and Jaylen Brown carrying the scoring load for Boston with Jayson Tatum out for the season, it’s yet another pivotal chapter in one of the NBA’s best rivalries.

Celtics vs. 76ers NBA Betting Odds

Philadelphia enters as a 1.5-point home favourite, with the total set at 231.5. Bettors should take note of each team’s early-season profile: the Celtics are 4-7 ATS and have struggled in close-game situations, while the Sixers are a red-hot 8-1-1 ATS despite recent losses. 

Boston ranks only 18th in defensive efficiency, and their rebounding concerns are glaring (26th in defensive rebounding), which plays directly into Philadelphia’s strengths on the glass. The Under may also be live given both teams’ bottom-10 pace and limited paint scoring.

Boston Celtics

Boston just split back-to-back road games in Orlando, losing despite 32 points from Jaylen Brown before bouncing back with a 111-107 win where Brown scored 28 and Anfernee Simons added 25. Brown’s aggression is keeping Boston afloat, as they continue without Tatum (Achilles). Payton Pritchard has stepped up as a secondary scorer with 27 in Friday’s loss. 

Boston’s biggest issue remains structural: a lack of interior presence, with Neemias Queta and Josh Minott tasked with protecting the paint. Boston lives and dies by the three, ranking toward the bottom of the league in both offensive and defensive rebounding. Against a physical team like the Sixers, that could become the deciding factor.

Philadelphia 76ers

Philadelphia has cooled off after a hot start. The Sixers were undefeated before their Halloween loss to Boston, but they’ve dropped four of six since, including a disappointing 111-108 loss to the Pistons Sunday. Maxey continues to shine, averaging more than 33 points per game and scoring 33 in the loss, but his shot volume has fluctuated. Rookie VJ Edgecombe has come back to earth after his historic debut, shooting only 33.5% in November. 

The X-factor remains Embiid. He scored just four points in the opener, then 20 in the rematch while still on a minutes restriction. He is trending upward after a 29-point outing Saturday vs. Toronto, and his ability to punish Boston on the glass and at the line is the matchup edge Philadelphia must exploit.

NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Celtics vs. 76ers?

These first two matchups were photo-finishes, but key indicators point toward Philadelphia responding at home. The Sixers are top-five in offensive rebounding and thrive at generating free throws, while Boston allows the fourth-most free-throw attempts and continues to struggle on the glass. The Celtics’ Halloween win required a perfect storm (16 offensive rebounds and 20-plus points off turnovers) and is unlikely to repeat. 

With Embiid active and the Sixers desperate to avoid back-to-back home losses, this is a revenge spot that aligns with early-season metrics. The slow pace and lack of reliable interior scoring on both sides also set up the total to stay under.

CELTICS

Away

112

76ERS

Home

117

Score
Predictions

Matchup