The NBA playoffs continue on Sunday night, when the Boston Celtics look to seize control of their Eastern Conference first-round series against the Philadelphia 76ers. Tipoff in Philly is set for 7:00 pm ET on NBC. Boston dropped one of its two home games, but it bounced back for a 2-1 lead by prevailing in Philadelphia on Friday.
Let’s dive into my Celtics vs. 76ers Game 4 prediction.
Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers odds
Money line: Celtics -295 / 76ers +240
Spread: Celtics -7.5 (-106) / 76ers +7.5 (-114)
Total: Over 214.5 (-105) / Under 214.5 (-115)
Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers best bet: Under 214.5 (-115)
The Celtics had the best scoring defense in the entire NBA during the regular season (107.2 points per game allowed), so it’s no surprise that the 76ers have struggled offensively so far in this series. Philadelphia is averaging only 100.3 ppg through three contests. Fortunately for the underdogs, they managed to win one of the first three games and have kept things somewhat competitive thanks to their own defense. Boston scored 123 points in the series opener but has since been reduced to 97 and 108 points. The C’s are getting next to nothing offensively from anyone other than Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. No one else on the roster is averaging more than 10.3 ppg during this series. Derrick White is a dreadful 10-for-34 from the field and 5-for-25 from three-point range. Payton Pritchard is 11-for-32 from the floor and 7-for-23 from deep.
76ers star center Joel Embiid is doubtful, so his three-week absence due to an abdominal injury will likely continue. Philadelphia could also be missing Kelly Oubre Jr. (14.1 ppg), who is questionable with an adductor issue. Depth will probably remain an issue for a team on which only four players are averaging more than 8.0 ppg during this series. The under is 4-0 in Boston’s last four games, 11-2 in Philadelphia’s last 13, and 6-0 in the last six head-to-head meetings.