Apr 4, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) dribbles against Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) during the third quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
The Eastern Conference semifinals matchup between the No. 3 Philadelphia 76ers and No. 2 Boston Celtics has even more meaning to it now that the No. 1 seed Milwaukee Bucks were stunned by No. 8 seed Miami Heat.
The path is open for the winner of this Sixers vs. Celtics series to be massive favorites in a conference finals matchup against either the Knicks or Heat. However, the Sixers come in wounded with Joel Embiid nursing a knee injury suffered in Game 3 of the team’s first round sweep against the Nets.
What’s the latest on Embiid, can the Celtics flex its muscles like it did in the regular season and advance to a second straight conference finals round?
Here are the odds and everything you need to know for Sixers vs. Celtics:
Sixers vs. Celtics series odds
NBA • 2022-23 Futures
BOS Celtics vs PHI 76ers – Series
Odds updated April 28th, 2023, at 12:38 pm
Sixers vs. Celtics correct score (Exact outcome odds)
NBA • 2022-23 Futures
BOS Celtics vs PHI 76ers – Series – Exact Series Result
Odds updated April 28th, 2023, at 12:38 pm
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Sixers vs. Celtics series game schedule
- Game 1: Sixers @ Celtics, Monday, May, 7:30 p.m. ET, TV Channel TNT
- Game 2: Sixers @ Celtics, Wednesday, May 3, 8 p.m. ET, TV Channel TBD
- Game 3: Celtics @ Sixers, Friday, May 5, 7:30 p.m. ET, TV Channel ESPN
- Game 4: Celtics @ Sixers, Sunday, May 7, 3:30 p.m. ET, Tv Channel ESPN
- *Game 5: Sixers @ Celtics, Tuesday, May 9, Time TBD, TNT
- Game 6: Celtics @ Sixers, Thursday, May 11, Time TBD, ESPN
- Game 7: Sixers @ Celtics, Sunday, May 14, Time TBD, TV Channel TBD
Sixers vs. Celtics prediction and pick
Embiid suffered an injury to his LCL in his knee that is likely going to have him playing in a knee brace when he returns to the floor. The very likely MVP winner is a game-time call for Monday’s Game 1, but will have about a week-and-a-half to rehab ahead of the start of this series.
Whether Embiid is healthy or not, I do believe the Celtics have the edge in this series with the fact that they can challenge him with the likes of Robert Williams III or Al Horford. Further, when the Celtics have the ball, the Sixers have too many vulnerable pieces on defense, like the slow footed James Harden and diminutive Tyrese Maxey. The Celtics were second in points scored per 100 possessions and the Sixers checked in eighth in the regular season, but a lot of that is with the rim protection of Embiid at full capacity. We won’t see that most likely.
The Celtics bolstered the second best defense in the league during the regular season. The team has immense size on the wing with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown flanked by Marcus Smart at guard, only to be replaced by fellow stout defenders like Derrick White and Malcolm Brogdon. Overall, I see little avenues to Philadelphia to match its offensive output in the regular season (third in points scored per 100 possessions) with a banged up Embiid.
The Celtics are a cut above the Sixers, in my opinion, especially when we go further into the bench with Boston able to trot out starting level players and not compromise its defense. The Sixers lack any frontcourt rim protection with Embiid off the floor and on offense I don’t believe James Harden is capable of anchoring a high level unit on offense anymore with his diminished speed and lingering Achilles injury.
Boston is rightfully heavy favorites with home court, I’ll go one better and take them to win in six or fewer games as the Sixers can’t overcome his knee injury to get to his first conference finals.
PICK: Celtics -1.5 games
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.