Celtics Sixers Line

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Note: No traditional recap post for tonight’s game. Don’t hold back in the comments section.

1. Point Spread: Commonly called the line or spread, it is the number chosen by Las Vegas and overseas oddsmakers that they feel will get an equal number of people to wager on the underdog as on the.
2. The Boston Celtics (8-5) will take on the Philadelphia 76ers (10-5) at the Wells Fargo Center for a second time this week. The tipoff for this game is set for 7:30 p.m. Below, we analyze the Celtics-76ers NBA betting odds and lines, with picks and predictions.

Sixers odds, line, spread: 2020 NBA picks, Jan. 9 predictions from computer on 26-13 run The SportsLine Projection Model has simulated Thursday's Celtics vs. 76ers matchup 10,000 times.

Sixers Bell Ringer Season Standings:

Joel Embiid - 7

Tobias Harris - 3

Shake Milton - 3

Tyrese Maxey - 1

Dakota Mathias - 1

Philadelphia welcomed Seth Curry back to the court following his COVID-induced absence, reuniting the opening-night starting lineup that has yet to lose a game this season (now 8-0). The Sixers broke open a close game with a 28-10 run across the latter half of the third quarter to take their first double-digit lead of the game. Propelled by an outstanding performance from Jaylen Brown (game-high 42 points), the Celtics closed to within 103-100 with 4:44 remaining in the game. However, the Sixers quickly responded with a 10-0 run to salt the game away, ultimately winning, 122-110. I know Jayson Tatum wasn’t involved, but two wins over the Celtics in one week sure feels good. Let’s choose a Bell Ringer.

Joel Embiid: 38 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 5 turnovers

Not only do the Celtics need to go back to the drawing board, but they might need a whole new board altogether in figuring out how to slow down Joel Embiid. Despite a relatively slow start after being saddled with two fouls early in the fourth quarter, Joel put together yet another MVP-caliber performance. His line of 38 points on just 15 shots from the field (11-of-15 FG, 2-of-2 3PT, 14-of-15 FTs) is pretty enough to hang in a gallery. Embiid’s face-up jumper is looking more and more automatic, and he has really perfected every nuance of drawing fouls on the interior. With the playoff-type series of two games in three days against the same opponent, Boston did throw a few wrinkles in the double teams that caused Joel difficulty (one soft cross-court pass attempt was particularly egregious. But Embiid was ultimately far too dominant, even capping the night off with a stepback 3 inside the final minute to put the nail in the coffin. I’d say Joel earned the second of the back-to-back load management night tomorrow.

Folks, Joel is once again.

He's got 16 points. Pretty good. pic.twitter.com/zwZWts16WJ

— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) January 23, 2021

Ben Simmons: 15 points, 3 rebounds, 11 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, 2 turnovers

Can I have your attention please? The real Ben Simmons finally stood up. Once again looking largely invisible offensively, while playing his usual solid defense, for much of the night, Ben finally turned back the clock in the fourth quarter to happier pre-“we have no problem trading you away” days. Simmons dropped 11 points in the final frame, and was the key factor in that final fourth-quarter surge to hold off a Celtics comeback. Ben scored seven straight Sixers points, then assisted on a Tobias Harris 3, and completed his personal mini-run with a right-handed floater from the middle of the lane. Welcome back, Ben Simmons, impactful offensive weapon!

Right at 'em.

@NBCSPhilly @BenSimmons25pic.twitter.com/fVKoZr4sXY

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) January 23, 2021

Tobias Harris: 23 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block, 3 turnovers

Tobi was Mr. Automatic on the offensive end, finishing a sparkling 10-of-12 from the field, including a perfect 3-of-3 from behind the arc. Harris made tough turnaround jumpers, and spinning floaters look smooth and easy, and the 3 from the top of the key with just under four minutes left was one of the biggest shots of the game. With backup Mike Scott still sidelined, Tobias also deserves a ton of credit for playing a yeomanlike 41 minutes, six minutes more than the next-highest Sixer.

Matisse Thybulle: 9 points, 4 rebounds, 2 blocks, 0 turnovers

Young ‘Tisse seems to be gaining confidence with each passing game. Offensively, Matisse had some nice moments, hitting one of his three 3-point attempts, scoring off a sharp baseline cut, and finishing an acrobatic up-and-under lay-up off the rare baseline drive. Of course, Thybulle only has to be passable offensively, because his defense is his calling card, and he was exemplary on that end Friday night. He twice blocked Kemba Walker 3-point attempts; this play after Kemba had looked to free himself up with a crossover is one of the more remarkable defensive moments I’ve seen in some time.

This was one hell of a block by Matisse Thybulle on Kemba Walker. pic.twitter.com/nuv7GsR2aV

— Tom West (@TomWestNBA) January 23, 2021© Provided by CBS Sports

Orlando, FL - AUGUST 25: Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers handles the ball during the game against the Dallas Mavericks during Round One Game Five of the NBA Playoffs on August 25, 2020 at The AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2020 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Philadelphia 76ers and the Boston Celtics take the floor at Wells Fargo Center on Wednesday evening. This is the first matchup between the two Eastern Conference contenders this season, with plenty of intrigue in advance of tip-off. The 76ers are 9-5 overall but hold a blistering 7-1 mark at home. The Celtics are 8-4 with identical 4-2 records in home and away tilts this season, and Boston will enter this game without its leading scorer in Jayson Tatum (protocols).

Tip-off is at 7 p.m. ET in Philadelphia. William Hill Sportsbook lists the 76ers as five-point home favorites, holding steady from the opener, in the latest Celtics vs. 76ers odds. The over-under for total points expected is set at 221.5. Before you make any 76ers vs. Celtics picks, be sure to see the NBA predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's proven computer model.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times, and it returned over $5,000 in profit on its top-rated NBA picks last season. The model is up nearly $8,100 over the past two-plus seasons. Dating back to last season, it is also on a stunning 68-39 roll on top-rated picks against the spread, returning almost $2,500 on those selections alone. Anybody who has followed it has seen huge returns.

Now, the model has set its sights on Celtics vs. 76ers. You can head to SportsLine to see its picks. Now, here are several NBA odds and betting trends for Sixers vs. Celtics:

• Celtics vs. 76ers spread: 76ers -5
• Celtics vs. 76ers over-under: 221.5 points
• Celtics vs. 76ers money line: 76ers -200, Celtics +175
• BOS: The Celtics are 6-4 against the spread in the last 10 games
• PHI: The 76ers are 5-4-1 against the spread in the last 10 games

Why the Celtics can cover

Boston is missing its leading scorer, but the Celtics have a deep pool of talent to utilize against Philadelphia. Jaylen Brown is off to a tremendous start in 2020-21, averaging 25.8 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, and he is flanked by an elite defensive force in Marcus Smart. In addition, the Celtics have All-Star guard Kemba Walker back in action after an injury-related absence, and he will put pressure on Philadelphia's perimeter defenders.

As a team, Boston grades out as above-average in both offensive and defensive rating, including a top-tier offensive rebound rate of 29.2 percent. The Celtics also create havoc in the form of turnovers, forcing a giveaway on 14.9 percent of possessions this season, and Boston ranks in the top six of the NBA in both blocked shots (6.0 per game) and steals (9.0 per game).

Why the 76ers can cover

Celtics Sixers Starting Lineup

Due to the absence of Tatum, Philadelphia is the more talented team in this matchup. Joel Embiid is an All-NBA force, averaging 25.0 points and 11.5 rebounds per game with elite defense, and he is joined by top-tier players in Tobias Harris and Ben Simmons. Harris is averaging 19.1 points and 7.1 rebounds per game, with Simmons defending at an elite level and averaging 12.3 points, 9.3 rebounds and 8.0 assists per game.

Celtics Sixers Line

Philadelphia can also take solace in some clear weaknesses for Boston, including a 15.5 percent turnover rate that ranks near the bottom of the NBA. The Celtics are also below-average in both defensive rebound rate (73.0 percent) and free throw rate, paving the way to increased efficiency for the 76ers at home.

Sixers Celtics Betting Line

How to make Celtics vs. 76ers picks

Sixers Celtics Stat Line

SportsLine's model is leaning over on the total, with the teams projected to combine for 229 points. The model also says one side of the spread has all the value. You can get that pick at SportsLine.

Celtics Sixers Line

So who wins 76ers vs. Celtics? And which side of the spread has all the value? Visit SportsLine now to find out which side of the Celtics vs. 76ers spread you need to jump on, all from the model that has crushed its NBA picks.