Surging Celtics Eye Ninth in Row
The red-hot Boston Celtics put their stellar run of form on the line in the City of Brotherly Love as they prepare to face fierce rivals and the Atlantic Division-leading Philadelphia Sixers.
As per BetUS sportsbook, the Celtics, winners of eight straight games, are tipped as the three-point road favorites on the NBA odds board. However, the Sixers are enjoying a solid run too, winning seven of their last 10 games. The hosts have the added advantage of a 2-1 edge over Boston that includes winning back-to-back games.
So, will the Celtics extend their winning form to nine games, or will the Sixers snap their winning streak with the so-called “home upset” according to the NBA odds.
Celtics at 76ers Game Information
- Game: Boston Celtics (33-25) at Philadelphia 76ers (34-22)
- Location: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia
- Day/Time: Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. ET
- Television: ESPN
Celtics on Roll
The Boston Celtics tapped into a sensational run of form, reeling off eight straight wins going back to a 107-07 win over the New Orleans Pelicans. During this impressive span, the Celtics won four at home and four on the road and went 4-4-0 against the spread (ATS).
They beat Eastern Conference leaders Miami 122-92 on Jan. 31 and heaped more misery on the Brooklyn Nets with a 129-91 thumping on Feb. 8. Most recently, the Celtics beat the Denver Nuggets 108-102 and the Atlanta Hawks 105-95..
Boston is 33-25 and two games back of the Sixers in the Atlantic Division standings. In the broad spectrum of the conference, the Celtics are 4½ games back of the Miami Heat (37-20).
Sixers Aim for Third Straight Win
The Philadelphia Sixers boast a 7-3 record in their last 10, which includes a two-game winning streak ahead of this pivotal division showdown. The Sixers beat the Oklahoma City Thunder (100-87) and Cleveland Cavaliers (108-103) at home to improve to 16-12 at the Wells Fargo Center.
Overall, the Sixers are 34-22 and 2½ games back of the Heat in the Eastern Conference. The Sixers had a little bit of a makeover with some blockbuster trades last week. Of those, the biggest was offloading Ben Simmons and snapping up James Harden and Paul Millsap. Others going out the door were Seth Curry and Andre Drummond – both of whom are in Brooklyn with Simmons.
EMBIID THROWS DOWN THE HAMMER ON JARRETT ALLEN 🔨 😱 pic.twitter.com/6idJiQvsUt
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 13, 2022
Celtics at 76ers Head-to-Head
The Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers are tied 5-5 in the last 10 meetings, but the Sixers have the 7-3-0 edge ATS. The under has cashed in six of these 10 meetings.
The most recent game between these sides took place in Philly on Jan. 14. The hosts clinched the 111-99 win over the Celtics, easily coming through as the closing three-point home chalk. It marked the second straight win for Philly after taking a 108-103 road victory in Boston on Dec. 21, 2021. The Celtics won the first meeting 89-88 on Dec. 1.
Celtics at 76ers Prediction
Both the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers are riding positive form into this pivotal division showdown, making it a toss-up for NBA picks and parlays. The Celtics may be the betting online favorites but that in of itself is no guarantee. After all, they’ve lost two in a row to the Sixers.
There is a lot to like about the Celtics, who are playing their best ball of the season. Defensively, Boston has stifled opponents, limiting them to just 38.9 percent on field goals and 29.7 percent on 3-pointers. Overall, they are allowing 103.6 points per game (ppg), fourth lowest in the league.
The Sixers’ defense has been solid throughout the season but their revamped offense has yet to be truly tested over a significant period. The starting five is completely different after the trade deadline saw key players leave. Whether that has an impact remains to be seen. The Sixers are averaging 107.6 points and shooting at a clip of 45.46 percent from the field.
A big part of this offense is Joel Embiid, who is still at the core of the starting five. He is enjoying MVP-like form, averaging 29.5 points and 11.2 rebounds. A lot of the pressure will be on Embiid’s shoulders, but if he rises to the occasion, the Sixers will have a real shot to come through as the three-point home underdogs either with a win or just a cover.
