Boston Celtics vs Philadelphia-76ers Picks and Predictions December 25th 2024

Boston Celtics vs Philadelphia-76ers December 25th 2024

At 5:00 ET, the 76ers will take on the Celtics in a divisional matchup. The Celtics are currently favored by 9.5 points and have a record of 22-7. The 76ers are 12th in the Eastern Conference with a record of 10-17.

This game will be played at TD Garden in Boston and can be seen on ABC. The over/under line for this game is currently sitting at 221.5 points.

76ers vs Celtics Key Information

• Sport: NBA
• Teams: Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics
• Where: Boston at TD Garden
• Date: Wednesday, December 25th
• Betting Odds BOS -9.5, PHI +325 | BOS -417 O/U 221.5

The 76ers Can Win If…

Philadelphia improved to 10-17 on the season with a 111-106 win over the Spurs on Monday. The 76ers were favored by 5.5 points at home but didn’t cover the spread, winning by just five. The total points for the game were 217, narrowly missing the over/under line of 217.5.

A key moment in the game was a 12-0 run by the 76ers, which extended their lead from 64-58 to 76-58. Philadelphia outscored San Antonio 36-30 in the 3rd quarter and entered the 4th with an 84-75 lead, but the Spurs made a push in the final quarter, outscoring the 76ers 31-27.

Tyrese Maxey led the 76ers to a win over the Spurs, finishing with 32 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists, knocking down 5 threes at a 45.5% rate. Maxey scored 12 points in the 4th quarter, while Guerschon Yabusele added 10 of his 17 points in the 2nd quarter, hitting 3 threes at 60% efficiency.

Philadelphia made 16 threes, shooting 36.4% from deep and 41.9% overall from the field. Paul George contributed 19 points, despite shooting just 37.5% from the floor and 28.6% from beyond the arc.

The 76ers’ defense was solid in the 1st quarter, holding the Spurs to 20 points, and they allowed 25 points in the 2nd. Philadelphia gave up 30 points in the 3rd and 31 in the 4th but still managed to secure the win.

Overall, the Spurs shot 45% from the field, including 33% from three-point range, where they made 15 threes. San Antonio also went 17/18 from the free-throw line. The 76ers grabbed 38 defensive rebounds, allowing just 3 offensive boards, and added 11 steals.

• In their last three road games, Philadelphia has averaged 109 points per game while allowing 111. The team’s record in this stretch was 2-1 while going 2-1 vs. the spread.
• Going back to their previous three games as the underdog, Philadelphia has an ATS mark of 2-1 while going 1-2 straight up.
• Over their last three games, the 76ers have an over/under record of 1-2 and are 0-3 vs. the spread.

The Celtics Can Win If…

Boston’s record dropped to 22-7 after a 108-104 road loss to the Magic on Monday. The Celtics, who were favored by 10 points, failed to cover the spread. The game’s total score of 212 points narrowly missed the over/under line of 214.5.

Boston jumped out to a 32-21 lead after the 1st quarter and extended their lead by winning the 2nd quarter 26-22. However, the Magic stormed back in the 3rd, outscoring the Celtics 36-21. The teams entered the 4th quarter tied at 79, and the Magic edged out the Celtics 29-25 in the final period.

Jaylen Brown’s 35 points and 9 rebounds weren’t enough for the Celtics, as they fell to the Magic on Monday, with Brown shooting 51.7% from the field. Kristaps Porzingis and Derrick White each added 17 points, with White hitting 3 threes at a 42.9% rate.

Boston struggled from beyond the arc, making just 8 threes at a 24.2% clip, contributing to an overall shooting percentage of 44%. Brown scored 15 points in the 1st quarter and added 11 more in the 4th.

The Celtics’ defense held strong in the 1st and 2nd quarters, giving up just 21 and 22 points, respectively. However, they struggled in the 3rd, allowing 36 points, and gave up 29 in the 4th, leading to a 108-104 loss to the Magic.

Boston limited Orlando to 13 made threes on 39% shooting from deep. The Magic also went 21/21 from the free-throw line. The Celtics finished with 33 defensive rebounds, allowing 7 offensive boards, and added 13 steals and 5 blocks.

• In their last three home games, the Celtics have a straight up record of 2-1 while going 1-2 vs the spread. The team’s offense averaged 113 points per game in these contests.
• In their last ten games as the betting favorite, the Celtics have a straight up record of 7-3 and an ATS mark of 3-7.
• In their last five games, the Celtics have an over/under record of 2-3 and are 1-4 vs. the spread.

The Lean

Entering the game as underdogs with a spread of +9.5, the 76ers is our point spread pick. Our projections not only see them covering the spread but also indicate a solid chance of an outright victory. This is a good choice for those looking for a higher moneyline payout.

As for the over/under, the the line is currently at 221.5, and our model projects the 76ers and Celtics to reach a combined total of 305 points. Our bet is on taking the over.

Celtics Seek to Rebound Against Red-Hot Sixers

The Boston Celtics will aim to avoid consecutive losses for the first time this season when they host the surging Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday.

Celtics Struggling Without Tatum

Boston (20-6) enters the game following a disappointing 108-104 loss to the Orlando Magic on Monday night. Playing without star Jayson Tatum, who was a late scratch due to illness, the Celtics squandered a 15-point halftime lead, scoring just 46 points in the second half.

Head coach Joe Mazzulla pointed to Orlando’s physicality as a key factor:

“That’s what the playoffs are. That’s what it’s about, and you have to be able to execute under those circumstances.”

The Celtics struggled offensively without Tatum, setting season lows in points (104), assists (13), 3-point attempts (32), and made 3-pointers (eight). Jaylen Brown carried the load with 35 points, nine rebounds, and four assists, but Boston’s inability to match Orlando’s physicality in the second half proved costly.

“They were allowed to be physical, and that had an effect on us in the second half,” Brown said.

Boston will look to regain its form against Philadelphia, with Tatum’s status crucial to their chances. Tatum leads the team in scoring (29.2 points per game), rebounds (8.5), and assists (4.9).

Sixers Riding Momentum

The 76ers (15-11) come into the matchup having won five of their last seven games, including a gritty 111-106 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Monday.

Philadelphia showed resilience after losing Joel Embiid to an ejection in the second quarter. Tyrese Maxey stepped up with 32 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists, scoring 12 points in the decisive fourth quarter.

“Whatever happens, we just keep on going,” said Sixers head coach Nick Nurse.

Maxey, who admitted he didn’t feel well during the pregame shootaround, credited relaxation for his standout performance:

“I just laid down, took a nap and relaxed a little bit. I came back, and we won the game. That was the biggest emphasis.”

The Sixers will look to extend their strong run as they take on Boston in the first meeting between the teams this season.

Key Matchups

For the Celtics:

• Jaylen Brown: With or without Tatum, Brown will need to lead the charge offensively and set the tone physically.
• Defensive Intensity: Boston must improve its second-half defense after allowing Orlando to score 65 points in the final two quarters.

For the 76ers:

• Tyrese Maxey: Maxey’s ability to step up in big moments makes him a critical factor, especially if Embiid’s minutes are limited.
• Bench Production: With Embiid’s ejection against San Antonio, the Sixers’ depth played a vital role, a trend they’ll need to sustain against Boston.

By the Numbers

• Boston: Averaging 119.1 points per game while allowing 109.6 points.
• Philadelphia: Scoring 105.9 points per game and giving up 110.4 points.

Check out the latest John Wooden Award Odds & Predictions for detailed analysis and updates.

Outlook

Boston’s performance hinges heavily on Tatum’s availability. If he plays, the Celtics’ depth and scoring balance could overwhelm Philadelphia. However, the 76ers’ recent momentum and Maxey’s emergence make them a dangerous opponent, especially with Embiid’s presence in the post.

This holiday showdown will serve as an early test for both teams as they jockey for position in the Eastern Conference standings.