Philadelphia 76ers vs Boston Celtics predictions: Tatum and Embiid to shine on Friday?

• Jayson Tatum is contributing across the stat sheet
• Joel Embiid upping his passing game in James Harden’s absence
• Boston Celtics to enjoy home advantage and extra rest

On Friday night, the Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics will both aim to secure a 2-1 season series advantage as they clash at TD Garden, airing on ESPN. Boston currently leads the NBA‘s Eastern Conference with an impressive 14-4 record (8-0 at home), while the Philadelphia 76ers stand at 12-5 overall (5-2 on the road). Notably, this matchup is a rematch of last season’s Eastern Conference Semifinals, which concluded with a thrilling 7-game series, ultimately won by Boston in a heroic 4-3 series comeback.

Following the departure of James Harden, the 76ers, now led by new head coach Nick Nurse, seek to continue their ascent to the top of the Eastern Conference by taking down the red-hot Celtics, who have secured victories in eight of their last 10 games.

However, the Celtics enter Friday’s game with some key players nursing injuries. All-Star Center Kristaps Porzingis is listed on the injury report with a calf injury, and Jrue Holiday’s name might also appear on the report due to an ankle injury that caused him to miss a recent game against the Orlando Magic. Despite these challenges, the Celtics have demonstrated their determination to win every game, whether fully healthy or not, showcasing their commitment to competing until the end. This sets the stage for an exciting matchup between two heavyweight juggernauts on the east coast.

76ers vs Celtics information

76ers vs Celtics odds

Odds provided by BetMGM – accurate as of November 29. Find further information and odds for this matchup on our live 76ers vs Celtics and data page.

76ers vs Celtics prop bet: Jayson Tatum o13.5 Rebounds + Assists

Primarily renowned for his scoring prowess, Jayson Tatum has been quietly contributing across the stat sheet, not only this season but also during certain stretches of the previous season. While Tatum’s points prop is often a popular choice due to his ability to score at various levels on the court, it’s noteworthy that in his last 13 games against the 76ers (including the playoffs last season), he has only surpassed the 27.5 points mark on five occasions, resulting in a 38% success rate.

In contrast, during these same 13 games, Tatum has consistently met his rebounds + assists prop, accomplishing this feat an impressive 12 out of 13 times for a remarkable 92% success rate. The question arises: why is Tatum scoring less while excelling in rebounds and assists? The answer lies in the pace of the games when these two teams face off. Despite both teams ranking in the top 10 for offensive rating, they also occupy the top 10 spots in defensive rating and find themselves in the bottom half of the league in pace. For Tatum, this translates into fewer shot attempts but more opportunities for rebounding.

While Boston has dominated the head-to-head series recently, it’s crucial to recognize the defensive focus of the 76ers, acknowledging their ability to score in bunches. Tobias Harris, often assigned to guard Tatum, proves to be an above-average defender, having faced off against Tatum in 20 games throughout their careers. Harris’ familiarity with Tatum’s moves and preferred spots on the court adds an extra layer to the defensive challenge. Another factor is the Celtics’ playing style, as Tatum’s scoring threat draws frequent double teams. Through 17 games this season, the Celtics rank in the top three for both three-point makes and attempts. Anticipate Tatum actively engaging in rebounding, particularly while playing as a power forward, creating opportunities for open teammates with backdoor cuts for layups and three-point attempts in Friday’s matchup.

Odds provided by DraftKings – accurate as of November 29.

76ers vs Celtic prop bet: Joel Embiid o5.5 assists

To begin, it’s important to note that, until this season, Joel Embiid was not widely recognized as a big man with a penchant for distributing assists and being a willing passer. While he did trust his teammates, some argue that former head coach Doc Rivers may not have strategically positioned Embiid on the floor for optimal team success. In his seventh season in the league last year, Embiid achieved a career-best average of 4.2 assists over 66 regular-season games, a significant improvement from his previous years where he never came close to four assists per game.

This season, a notable shift has occurred. While Embiid’s ball-handling remains consistent with last season, his focus has expanded beyond scoring. Given his dominance in scoring (32 points per game last season and 33.1 points per game the season before), many teams employ trap and double-team strategies to force other players to step up. Coach Nick Nurse has strategically positioned Joel Embiid at the top of the key, providing him with better visibility over double teams compared to being trapped in the corners on the low block with his back to the basket.

Embiid has capitalized on these opportunities, achieving a career-best average of 6.6 assists, marking the first time he’s ranked in the top 20 in this category. With James Harden absent in Philadelphia, Embiid’s passes per game have increased from 40.5 to nearly 45. Nurse’s offensive strategy encourages movement without the basketball for every player on the team. Embiid consistently makes the right play, finding open shooters coming off screens and pin downs, as well as slashers in the dunkers’ spot cutting towards the rim. Notably, Embiid has recorded at least six assists in back-to-back games and seven of his last eight overall. Expect Embiid to continue finding open teammates, facilitating easy looks, and contributing to his team’s success in securing a victory against the rival Boston Celtics.

Odds provided by FanDuel – accurate as of November 29.

76ers vs Celtics prop bet: Celtics -3

In a showdown featuring two of the league’s top 10 defenses and offenses, a thorough analysis is necessary to identify any potential advantages. One key factor that tilts the scale in favor of the Celtics in this matchup is the travel circumstances for the 76ers. This game marks their second consecutive road appearance, following a challenging contest against the physically imposing New Orleans Pelicans. In contrast, the Celtics’ recent game was against the struggling Chicago Bulls, a team contemplating a breakup due to recent lackluster performance.

Additionally, it’s the second consecutive home game for the Celtics. Since the beginning of last season, the Celtics boast an impressive record of 23-8 (74.2%) straight up and 20-11 ATS (64.5%) when playing a home game following a previous home game. Another aspect to consider when choosing a side is the rest advantage. Boston not only avoids the travel strain faced by the 76ers but also enjoys an extra day of rest. Since the start of last season, when Boston is the more rested home favorite in conference games, they have a 5-2 record both straight up and ATS, winning these games by an average margin of 13 points. Moreover, the Celtics hold a 4-2 straight up and ATS record at home against the 76ers in regular-season matchups over the past two seasons. Notably, Boston has maintained a perfect 8-0 home record through 15 games in the 2023-24 campaign. While not predicting a blowout, it’s anticipated that the Celtics have the capability to secure a victory and cover the modest point spread against a conference rival in what promises to be a highly competitive matchup on ESPN.

Odds provided by FanDuel – accurate as of November 29.

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