Celtics vs 76ers Picks and Predictions: Philly Puts End to Boston's Impressive Run

The Boston Celtics put an eight-game winning streak to the test when they visit the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday.

Boston, which hasn’t lost since January 28 and has produced a 5-3 mark against the spread during this run, is giving 1.5 points as a visitor in the NBA odds. Philadelphia was hoping to debut newly-acquired star James Harden but his timetable has been pushed to post-All-Star Game, which is why the Sixers are NBA betting home underdogs for just the eighth time this season.

Check out our free NBA picks and predictions for Celtics at 76ers on February 15.

Celtics vs 76ers odds

This odds widget represents the best odds available for each betting market from regulated sportsbooks.

Philadelphia opened as low as a 1-point home dog and that spread has climbed to +2 as of Tuesday morning. The Over/Under hit the board at 211.5 points and early play on the Under has trimmed the total to 210 points.

Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right until tip-off and be sure to check out the full NBA odds before betting to ensure you get the best number.

Celtics vs 76ers predictions

• Prediction: 76ers +2 (-110)
• Prediction: Under 210.5 (-110)
• Best bet: Celtics Under 106.5 team total (-110)

Predictions made on 2/15/2022 at 10:15 a.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.

Celtics vs 76ers game info

• Location: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA
• Date: Tuesday, February 15, 2022
• Tip-off: 7:30 p.m. ET
• TV: TNT

Celtics vs 76ers betting preview

Key injuries

Celtics: Daniel Theis F (Questionable).
76ers: James Harden G (Out).

Find our latest NBA injury reports.

Betting trend to know

Philadelphia is 5-15 Over/Under when set as a point spread underdog this season. Find more NBA betting trends for Celtics vs. 76ers.

Celtics vs 76ers picks and predictions

Our predictions are compiled from the analysis of the spread and total and are indications of where we are leaning for this game.
Our best bet is the play that we like the most for this game, which we would actually put some of our bankroll behind.

Spread analysis

Since the calendar flipped to 2022, the Celtics have been on fire. Boston, which owns a 16-6 SU mark in 2022, has gotten over the growing pains of introducing new head coach Ime Udoka and rolls toward the break as a true NBA title contender. 

Bettors, however, have been left unsatisfied. Despite those winning ways, it hasn’t been enough to appease the oddsmakers with the Celtics posting a 10-12 record against the spread since the New Year. Boston’s backbone has been its defense, but the offensive shortcomings are costly.

During this current eight-game heater, the Celtics own an advanced offensive rating of 113.7 — a sharp uptick from their 109.1 metric from before this streak (22nd). Boston has gotten a little fat on cupcake foes, with Miami the only opponent ranked inside the Top 10 in defensive rating during this span. The other seven teams were 13th or worse with five sitting 22nd or deeper on the list.

Philadelphia is a big step up in competition on the defensive end, sitting 10th in defensive rating. The Sixers are especially stingy at home, allowing only 104.3 points per game at Wells Fargo Center and limiting visitors to an effective field goal percentage of just 50.7%.

As for the 76ers attack, Joel Embiid will continue to shoulder the load until James Harden is good to go. Embiid is coming off a monster game in Saturday’s win over Cleveland, recording a triple-double with 40 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists. He did so against one of the top defenses in the league and a frontcourt that features two 7-foot bodies under the basket.

Philly has won two of three matchups with Boston already this season, with Embiid putting in efforts of 25 and 41 points in those victories. No player is performing at the same level as the 76ers big man right now, and he’ll anchor a big home win over their Atlantic Division foe tonight.

Prediction: 76ers +2 (-110)

Over/Under analysis

Boston features the premier defense in the Eastern Conference and has tightened those bolts since January 1, owning an NBA-best advanced defensive rating of 100.7 this calendar year. The Celtics are allowing a mere 98 points per game in that span, checking opposing teams to 41% shooting.

Offensive pace has also played into these low numbers. Boston has sucked all the energy out of the building with a methodical tempo ranked 26th the past two months and sees the bulk of its field goal attempts coming later in the shot clock (68% of attempts coming either middle to late in shot clock). 

The 76ers offense isn’t in a hurry either, owning the third-lowest pace rating on the year. Philadelphia has matched up with fellow defensive stalwarts Cleveland (third in defensive rating), Oklahoma City (9th), Phoenix (4th), and Dallas (5th) in recent games, scoring 109 or fewer points and playing below the total in three of those four contests.

Prediction: Under 210.5 (-110)

Best bet

Boston is averaging more than 112 points on 48% shooting during its eight-game winning run, climbing from 107.7 points per contest on 44.6% shooting before that streak. But as mentioned, the bulk of those recent foes sit in the bottom half of most defensive statistics.

This is a crucial divisional showdown for both teams, with the Celtics trailing the Sixers by only two games. Boston and Philadelphia want to take some momentum into the looming All-Star break, so tonight’s game will have a postseason feel to it.

The Celtics have mounted scores of 99, 103, and 88 in three games with the Sixers this season and will stay below their team total of 106.5 points (bet365), which is down to 105.5 at other books.

Pick: Celtics Under 106.5 team total (-110)

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