The Philadelphia 76ers (10-17) and Boston Celtics (22-7) face off in the NBA on Christmas Day. Tipoff is set for 5 p.m. ET at TD Garden in Boston. The game will broadcast live on ABC and ESPN.
The Celtics are 9.5-point favorites over the Sixers on the spread, with the over/under set at 221 total points. Boston is a -395 favorite to win outright, while Philly is +310 to pull off the upset.
Let’s get to my 76ers vs. Celtics predictions and NBA picks for Christmas Day.
76ers vs. Celtics Picks, Predictions
Spread
As good as they are, Boston is just 11-18 against the spread (ATS), and the 76ers aren’t trustworthy given their general instability, so I’m gleefully passing on this.
Moneyline
This is a 76ers-or-nothing spot because Boston is so heavily favored — but I’m not trusting Philadelphia.
My guy Matt Moore is sprinkling on the Philly moneyline, which you can read more about here.
Over/Under
I lean over but I’m not making this a full-blown play. My worry is a blowout.
Does this feel like a game where Boston bends Philly’s defense from three, as we’ve seen them do throughout the season. And if you’re gonna attack a healthy Joel Embiid, a five-out offense is one of the best ways to do so.
But will Philly hold up its end? I’m not sure. I’d rather consider a Celtics total team over if anything here.
My Pick: Payton Pritchard Over 11.5 Points
76ers vs. Celtics Odds, Spread, Over/Under
Wednesday, Dec. 25
5 p.m. ET
ABC
76ers OddsSpreadTotalMoneyline+9.5
-110
221
-110 / -110
+310
Celtics OddsSpreadTotalMoneyline-9.5
-110
221
-110 / -110
-395
- 76ers vs. Celtics spread: Celtics -9.5 (-110)
- 76ers vs. Celtics over/under: 221 total points
- 76ers vs. Celtics moneyline: 76ers +310, Celtics -395
- 76ers vs. Celtics best bet:Payton Pritchard Over 11.5 Points
My Celtics vs. 76ers best bet is on Payton Pritchard to score over 11.5 points, with the best available odds at DraftKings. But as always, make sure to shop for the best line using our live NBA odds page.
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics Christmas Day Preview
To prop world we go!
Bounce back, Payton Pritchard. I like him over 11.5 points.
Pritchard has gone over this number in 9-of-12 games, but under in two straight. But you can attack the Sixers backcourt and their depth — and Pritchard will.
The Sixth Man of the Year candidate — frontrunner, many would say — has a shot at playing with a Celtics squad minus Jayson Tatum, who is questionable with an illness. Tatum playing is independent of how I feel about Pritchard’s over — I’m playing it regardless.
The only parlay I’d consider is Pritchard with the Celtics team total over 115.5 at +261 on DraftKings.
Otherwise, I like Pritchard straight up the most. Anything else, I will log in the app.
Best Bet: Payton Pritchard Over 11.5 Points (-120)
Celtics vs. 76ers Parlay Picks
- Celtics Team Total Over 115.5 Points
- Payton Pritchard Over 11.5 Points
Parlay Payout: +261
76ers vs. Celtics Betting Trends
