Philadelphia 76ers vs Boston Celtics Predictions, Odds, Picks

• The Philadelphia 76ers want to get back into the win column after dropping their last three games.
• The Boston Celtics have alternated wins and losses in their last four games.
• The Celtics were victorious against the Sixers in their earlier meeting this season.

Philadelphia 76ers vs Boston Celtics Odds

Odds provided by Caesars Sportsbook.

Philadelphia 76ers vs Boston Celtics Predictions and Picks

Boston enter this game off the back of a winning effort in their last game. However the Sixers are coming off of a tremendous effort that fell short against one of the league’s best. With just an improved bench effort, the Sixers should take this game.

Pick:

Philadelphia 76ers def. Boston Celtics

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Injury Report

How Can the Sixers Beat the Celtics?

The Sixers dropped their last game against a similarly shorthanded Brooklyn Nets team. While their stars went to work, they need more production from their bench unit.

The Sixers only received 12 points from their three-man bench against the Nets, something they can’t afford when they face the Celtics.

Considering at least two starters will always be mixed in with their bench unit, Philly’s stars must work to create better opportunities for their bench unit. After a poor match, Tobias Harris needs to bounce back and take the lead.

Sixers Key Player: (C) Joel Embiid

JOJO. pic.twitter.com/g3PhjX6iGS

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) December 17, 2021

There aren’t many times when Joel Embiid doesn’t have the advantage in the paint, but when he faces the Celtics their front line will be significantly weakened.

Embiid is coming off of a 31-point, 9 rebound, and 6 assist performance against the Brooklyn Nets. While the Sixers lost, Embiid showed that he is more than ready for a long night due to shortened rosters.

The Sixers center will still have to put up with Robert Williams and Enes Freedom in the paint, but his production will determine how well the Sixers compete in this matchup.

How Can the Celtics Beat the Sixers?

In their last matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers, the Celtics put on a defensive clinic. Despite having fewer available players, they must carry over the effort from their last meeting.

Boston were able to hold Philadelphia to 37.1% shooting from the field and 25.8% shooting from three in their early-December matchup. Justas impressively, they held Joel Embiid to 3 of 17 shooting on the night.

Boston still have an energetic defensive unit, despite the fact that they are missing a number of players. With the offensive burden on Tatum and Brown, there’s no reason for the Celtics’ role players to not focus on the defensive end.

Celtics Key Player: (G) Josh Richardson

Josh Richardson gave us the spark that we needed in the second game of a back-to-back, as we finished with a 114-107 victory over the Knicks. pic.twitter.com/BFgtkLW7ai

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) December 19, 2021

The Boston Celtics don’t have an unpredictable game plan, considering their main focus is to find production in Brown and Tatum. However in Boston’s last game, they were able to secure the victory with some fantastic production from Josh Richardson.

The Celtics’ backup swingman posted 27 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals on 9 of 14 shooting from the field. Richardson’s 5 three-point field goals were the difference maker in this matchup.

With so few players available to them, Richardson’s scoring is absolutely necessary in order to take down the Sixers. Whether or not he can help contain Sixers sharpshooter Seth Curry is another reason why he’ll be crucial.

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