Remember when the Philadelphia 76ers were trying to challenge the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference? Yeah, I don’t either.
The Sixers' season is a disaster, and now they are 14-point road underdogs for tonight’s meeting against their rival. My 76ers vs. Celtics predictions highlight a player prop for a guy who may already be thinking about the offseason.
Here are my NBA picks for this Atlantic Division clash, which will tip off at 7:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 6, at TD Garden in Boston.
76ers vs Celtics prediction
My best bet
Paul George Under 17.5 points (-115 at bet365)
My analysis
Things have gone from bad to worse for the Philadelphia 76ers. A slow start has snowballed into a bad season, and now Joel Embiid is done for the year, leaving the Sixers to scuffle without their MVP.
Philly has now lost 13 of its last 15 games overall to sit at 21-40 for the season, good for 12th place in the Easter Conference, and is falling fast. Most recently, the Sixers lost by 14 to the Minnesota Timberwolves and to the Portland Trail Blazers by 17. "Not great, Bob."
This recent form has me questioning how motivated some members of the team will be heading into a matchup with the reigning champion Boston Celtics as 14-point road underdogs. That has me looking at the NBA player props for Paul George points.
PG-13 came to Philly from the Los Angeles Clippers in pursuit of an NBA title, but he certainly isn’t getting that this year and it feels like you can tell that when he’s on the court these days.
George enters this matchup averaging 16.2 points per game while shooting 35.8% from 3-point range. But over the last 11 games, those numbers dip to 13.7 ppg and 33.8%. Now, he faces a Celtics team that is tough to get buckets against.
The Celtics appear to just be doing their thing in preparation of their title defense. They are 12-3 in their last 15 games overall and are third in the NBA in net rating. Boston does some of its best work on defense, ranking fifth in defensive rating, second in opponent effective field goal percentage, and third in opponent 3-point shooting percentage.
And George hasn’t found much success against the C's this season. He’s suited up against them twice; once on Christmas Day, where he was held to 12 points on 4-for-15 shooting and then more recently on February 20 when he put up 17 points on 7 of 14 from the floor.
George’s point total is sitting at 17.5 for this one. He’s only topped that twice during this 11-game period. I don’t expect him to make it three against this Celtics defense tonight.
76ers vs Celtics same-game parlay
Paul George Under 17.5 points
Quentin Grimes Over 4.5 rebounds
Celtics -14
One of the only guys who does seem to give a damn on the 76ers seems to be guard Quentin Grimes. Grimes is getting the opportunity for more minutes and he’s taking advantage putting up 30, 14. and 44 points over the last three games.
But he’s been stuffing the stat sheet for the Sixers for a few games now. He is averaging 5.6 rebounds per game over the last 10 games, including hauling down seven against this same Celtics team back on February 20. Somebody has to rebound for the Sixers with Embiid out, so why not Grimes? His rebounding prop is sitting at 4.5 for this one, a number he has eclipsed in seven of his last 10 games.
And let’s not beat around the bush. The Sixers are down bad. Losing to the Trail Blazers by 17 isn’t a good look. They lost the most recent meeting against the Celtics by 20, and that was in Philly. The Sixers are just 2-11 ATS in their last 13 games, so I’ll lay the 14 points here.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
76ers vs Celtics score prediction
Score prediction: Celtics 117, 76ers 101
When these teams last met in Philly back on February 20, the Celtics walked away with a 124-104 win as 6-point favorites.
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76ers vs Celtics odds
76ers vs Celtics live odds
76ers vs Celtics opening odds
- Spread: Philadelphia +13 | Boston -13
- Moneyline: Philadelphia +475 | Boston -650
- Over/Under: Over 225.5 | Under 225.5
Odds courtesy of bet365
76ers vs Celtics spread and Over/Under analysis
- The spread for this Atlantic Division matchup opened with the Celtics as 13-point home favorites but that hasn't scared off early bettors, with the line moving to as high as 14.5 depending on the book.
- This is just a matchup of teams trending in different directions. The 76ers are 2-11 SU/ATS in their last 13 games while the Celtics are 7-2 SU/ATS in their last nine overall.
- The total hit the board at 225.5 and early bettors have hammered the Under, moving the total all the way down to 220 as of early Thursday afternoon.
- The 76ers have scored 105 points or fewer six times in the last nine games but since their defense has been so bad the Under is still just 5-4 during that stretch. Expect the Celtics to suffocate the 76ers offense once again.
76ers vs Celtics trend
The 76ers have only covered the Spread in 24 of their last 68 games for -22.20 Units and a -30% ROI. Find more NBA betting trends for 76ers vs. Celtics.
How to watch 76ers vs Celtics
| Location | TD Garden, Boston, MA |
| Date | Thursday, 3-6-2025 |
| Tip-off | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | TNT, Max |
76ers vs Celtics latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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