Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers Prediction and Betting Tips

The Boston Celtics and the Philadelphia 76ers are set to clash in a highly anticipated NBA matchup on Thursday, February 20, 2025, at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. This game marks another chapter in their storied Eastern Conference rivalry, with both teams looking to secure a crucial win as the season progresses. Here’s a comprehensive preview, including predictions, betting tips, and odds for this exciting showdown.

Game Overview

• Date and Time: February 20, 2025, at 7:00 PM ET
• Venue: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• TV Channels: TNT, truTV, and MAX
• Live Streaming: NBA League Pass, Sling, and fuboTV

The Celtics enter this game as 8-point favorites, with the over/under set at 224.5 points. Both teams have had contrasting seasons so far, with Boston sitting comfortably in second place in the Eastern Conference (39-16), while Philadelphia struggles at 20-34, fighting to stay in playoff contention.

Season Performance and Head-to-Head

Boston Celtics

The Celtics have been one of the most consistent teams in the NBA this season, boasting a 117.2 points per game (PPG) average, ranking them sixth in the league. Their defense has also been stellar, allowing just 108.1 PPG, the fourth-best in the NBA.

Key players like Jayson Tatum (27.0 PPG, 8.7 RPG) and Jaylen Brown (23.4 PPG) have been instrumental in their success. The team is coming off a strong performance, winning eight of their last ten games, including a dominant victory over the San Antonio Spurs.

Philadelphia 76ers

The 76ers, on the other hand, have struggled with inconsistency and injuries. Their star center, Joel Embiid, has missed significant time due to a knee injury, which has severely impacted their performance. Despite this, Tyrese Maxey has been a bright spot, averaging 27.6 PPG and 6.1 assists.

Philadelphia’s offense ranks 26th in the league with 109.1 PPG, while their defense allows 112.9 PPG, placing them 14th10. They are currently on a five-game losing streak and desperately need a win to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Head-to-Head Record

The Celtics and 76ers have split their two meetings this season:

• December 25, 2024: 76ers won 118-114 at TD Garden.
• February 2, 2025: Celtics won 118-110 at Wells Fargo Center.

Historically, the Celtics lead the all-time series 271-198 and have won seven of the last ten matchups.

Betting Odds and Trends

Moneyline

• Boston Celtics: -339 (77.2% implied win probability)
• Philadelphia 76ers: +269 (27.1% implied win probability).

The Celtics have been dominant as favorites, winning 75.7% of their games when listed at -339 or shorter. Meanwhile, the 76ers have only won 25.8% of their games as underdogs this season.

Spread

• Boston Celtics: -8 (-110)
• Philadelphia 76ers: +8 (-110)210.

Boston has struggled against the spread (ATS) this season, with a 23-31-1 record. However, they have been strong on the road, going 13-14-1 ATS. Philadelphia, despite their poor record, has covered the spread in five straight games as underdogs.

Over/Under

• Total Points: 224.5 (-110 for both Over and Under)210.

The Celtics and 76ers have combined for an average of 226.3 PPG this season, slightly above the over/under line. Boston has gone Over in three of their last four games, while Philadelphia has hit the Over in five of their last seven.

Key Players to Watch

Boston Celtics

1. Jayson Tatum: The All-Star forward is averaging 27.0 PPG, 8.7 RPG, and 5.6 APG. He has been the Celtics’ go-to scorer and will look to dominate against Philadelphia’s defense.
2. Jaylen Brown: Brown has been on a hot streak, averaging 24.6 PPG over his last five games. His ability to score efficiently will be crucial for Boston.
3. Kristaps Porzingis: The big man has been a force in the paint, contributing 18.0 PPG and 7.2 RPG. His presence will be key against Philadelphia’s weakened frontcourt.

Philadelphia 76ers

1. Tyrese Maxey: Maxey has been the Sixers’ MVP this season, leading the team in scoring and assists. He dropped 42 points in a recent game against the Denver Nuggets and will need another stellar performance to challenge Boston.
2. Kelly Oubre Jr.: Oubre has been a reliable scorer, averaging 14.5 PPG. His ability to stretch the floor will be vital for Philadelphia’s offense.
3. Joel Embiid (if available): Embiid’s status remains uncertain due to his knee injury. If he plays, his impact on both ends of the floor could be a game-changer.

Prediction and Betting Tips

Final Score Prediction

• Boston Celtics 116 – Philadelphia 76ers 107.

The Celtics are the better team on paper and have been in excellent form recently. While the 76ers have shown resilience as underdogs, their lack of firepower and defensive struggles make it difficult to see them pulling off an upset.

Betting Tips

1. Spread: Bet on the 76ers +8 (-105). Philadelphia has covered the spread in their last five games as underdogs, and Boston has struggled to blow out opponents recently.
2. Over/Under: Take the Over 224.5 (-110). Both teams have been involved in high-scoring games lately, and their combined average points exceed the total line.
3. Player Props: Consider betting on Jayson Tatum Over 25.5 points. Tatum has consistently performed well against the 76ers and is likely to surpass this mark.

Conclusion

The Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers matchup promises to be an exciting game with significant implications for both teams. While the Celtics are heavily favored, the 76ers’ recent form as underdogs makes them a compelling bet against the spread. Keep an eye on key players like Tatum and Maxey, who could dictate the outcome of this game.