How have the Celtics performed against the 76ers recently?

The Boston Celtics convincingly defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 123-91 in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference First Round playoff series. In the regular season, the two teams split their four-game series at two games apiece.

Who are the key players to watch for each team?

For the Boston Celtics, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are the primary offensive threats. For the Philadelphia 76ers, Tyrese Maxey will carry a heavy offensive load in Joel Embiid's absence.

Are there any other significant injuries for this game?

Aside from Joel Embiid being out, several Celtics players like Derrick White, Neemias Queta, and Sam Hauser are listed as probable or day-to-day with minor issues, but they are expected to play.

What are the playoff implications for this matchup?

This game is part of the Eastern Conference First Round of the NBA Playoffs. A win for the Celtics would push them closer to advancing, while a win for the 76ers would be a significant upset and level the series.

NBA

Friday, Apr 24, 2026, 11:00 PM UTC

Game starts in 4d 21h 44m

Philadelphia 76ers

Boston Celtics

Philadelphia 76ers Win

AI Confidence: ⚡83%

Philadelphia 76ers

Spread

Philadelphia 76ers Win

115-98

⚡AI Confidence: 83%

Boston Celtics

Winner: Philadelphia 76ers Win (⚡83%)

Spread: Boston Celtics -12.5 (-12.5) (⚡78%)

Total: Under 213.5 (⚡70%)

Philadelphia 76ers vs Boston Celtics Prediction

The Boston Celtics are poised for a decisive victory over the Philadelphia 76ers in this playoff matchup, primarily due to Joel Embiid's absence for Philadelphia and Boston's overall team strength and home-court advantage. The Celtics' balanced attack and stout defense are expected to dominate a shorthanded 76ers squad. While Tyrese Maxey will shoulder a significant offensive load for Philadelphia, it is unlikely to be enough to overcome the deep and talented Celtics roster.

AI-powered prediction

ATS PREDICTION

Philadelphia 76ers Win

Predicted: 115-98

⚡83%

The Boston Celtics, the Eastern Conference's #2 seed, are heavily favored against the Philadelphia 76ers, who secured the #7 seed through the play-in tournament. A critical factor is the absence of 76ers' star center Joel Embiid, who is out indefinitely after an appendectomy on April 9th. The Celtics demonstrated their dominance by routing the 76ers 123-91 in Game 1 of their playoff series, showcasing their top-tier defense and Jayson Tatum's strong return from injury. With Embiid sidelined, Philadelphia's offense relies heavily on Tyrese Maxey, but it struggles to match Boston's depth and scoring prowess, especially at home where the Celtics have a significant advantage.

SPREAD PREDICTION

Boston Celtics -12.5 (-12.5)

78%

The Celtics covered a -12.5 spread comfortably in Game 1, winning by 32 points. Their strong defensive scheme and offensive efficiency, combined with the 76ers' depleted roster without Joel Embiid, make Boston a strong candidate to cover a similar spread again. The Celtics are also 4-0 against the spread at home as favorites in their last four games.

TOTAL PREDICTION

Under 213.5

70%

The total for Game 1 was 213.5, with the final score landing at 214, barely going over. However, the Celtics are known for their slow pace and top-5 defense, with no team hitting the Under at a higher percentage (63.4%) in the regular season. With Embiid out, the 76ers' offense will likely struggle to consistently put up high scoring numbers against Boston's formidable defense, supporting an 'under' pick.

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First Half Winner

Boston Celtics

85%

The Celtics started Game 1 strong, leading 33-18 in the first quarter and holding a 64-46 halftime lead. Their superior roster and home advantage should allow them to establish an early lead.

Race to 20 Points

Boston Celtics

80%

Boston's efficient offense and the 76ers' struggles without Embiid suggest the Celtics are highly likely to reach 20 points first.

Jaylen Brown Total Points + Rebounds + Assists

Over 36.5

75%

Jaylen Brown had an MVP-caliber season, averaging career highs in points (28.7), rebounds (6.9), and assists (5.1). He exceeded 36.5 PRA in 52 of 71 games and 27 of 38 home games, making the over a strong play even with Tatum back.

Philadelphia 76ers Team Total

Under

72%

Without Embiid, the 76ers' offensive output is severely hampered. Facing the Celtics' top defense, they are expected to score well below their season average.

Margin of Victory (Home)

Boston Celtics 11-15

65%

While Game 1 was a blowout, predicting a slightly tighter margin for subsequent games is reasonable, assuming some adjustments from Philadelphia. However, the Celtics are still expected to win comfortably.

First Quarter Winner

Boston Celtics

87%

The Celtics established a 33-18 lead in the first quarter of Game 1. Their ability to start games strong, especially at home, is a consistent trend.

Philadelphia 76ers vs Boston Celtics — Key Stats (AI)

Philadelphia 76ersStatBoston Celtics

83% ✅AI Win Probability17%

115 ✅Predicted Score98

Boston Celtics -12… ✅Spread78% conf

Under 213.5 ✅Total70% conf

85% ✅Model ConfidenceHigh

Betting Angles — Philadelphia 76ers vs Boston Celtics

⚠️ Moneyline: Boston Celtics

The Celtics moneyline at -800 (1.125 decimal) has an implied probability of 88.89%. Given Embiid's critical injury and Boston's overwhelming Game 1 performance, our model assigns a slightly higher win probability, indicating a small but consistent edge for the favored home team.

✅ Player Points: Tyrese Maxey Over 27.5 Points

Tyrese Maxey averaged 30 points per game against the Celtics in the regular season, and with Joel Embiid sidelined, he will be the primary offensive option and usage will increase significantly. This heavy offensive burden makes the over on his points prop a valuable bet despite the tough matchup.

💰 Sharp Money

Sharp money appears to be backing the Celtics to cover the spread and potentially the Under on the total, driven by the significant injury to Embiid and Boston's defensive prowess. Line movement: The moneyline and spread have seen massive movement since initial look-ahead markets, heavily shifting towards the Celtics following the confirmation of Embiid's injury.

AI Same Game Parlay — Philadelphia 76ers vs Boston Celtics

🔥 RECOMMENDED SGP

4-Leg

Moneyline: Boston Celtics1.13

Spread: Boston Celtics -12.51.91

Total Points: Under 213.51.91

Player Points + Rebounds + Assists: Jaylen Brown Over 36.51.89

Combined Odds: 7.42 (+642)

AI Confidence: 75%

$10 → $74.20 | $25 → $185.50 | $50 → $371.00

Correlation: Positive correlation as a strong Celtics win (moneyline, spread) often aligns with a lower scoring game from the opponent (under total) and strong performances from key Celtics players like Jaylen Brown.

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Risk Assessment

Low Risk

3/10

⚠️Unforeseen strong individual performance from a 76ers player like Tyrese Maxey
⚠️Celtics resting key players if the series leads to a blowout (less likely in playoffs)
⚠️Unexpected return of Joel Embiid (highly unlikely for this specific game based on current reports)

Model Confidence

⚡85%

Data quality: High

Limitations

•The exact date of April 24, 2026, had limited direct betting odds, so predictions are based on Game 1 trends and overall series context.
•Player performance can fluctuate in playoff intensity.
•Betting lines may shift significantly closer to game time.

This prediction is for informational and entertainment purposes only. It does not constitute betting advice.

Philadelphia 76ers vs Boston Celtics — FAQ

The most significant factor is the absence of Joel Embiid for the Philadelphia 76ers due to an appendectomy. His injury severely weakens the 76ers' offense and defense, giving the Boston Celtics a substantial advantage.