Can The 76ers Find Success Without Joel Embiid?

Only One Bet to Make After Looking at 76ers vs Celtics Odds

We’re headed to Boston for an early TNT matchup between the Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics.

Earlier in this season, many fans were excited to see this matchup. However, after Joel Embiid’s injury, the 76ers haven’t been the same without him.

Philadelphia has lost three of its last four games, including Sunday’s game against the struggling Milwaukee Bucks. Although the 76ers are still 33-24 this season, the team continues to drop down the Eastern Conference standings.

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Meanwhile, the Boston Celtics are the NBA’s best team with a 45-12 record. The Celtics will get an extra day of rest and have already won eight straight games heading into this one.

The Celtics are tough to beat. With Philadelphia shorthanded, it will take a massive effort from the 76ers on the road to sneak out a win.

The oddsmakers agree as the Celtics are 12-point favorites, with the total currently set at 227. The Over has a higher probability, sitting at -115.

Here’s a look at the full 76ers vs Celtics odds for this Eastern Conference thriller.

76ers logo 76ers vs Celtics Celtics logo

Day/Time:
Location: TD Garden, Boston, MA
Streaming: TNT

76ers vs Celtics Odds & Trends

The Philadelphia 76ers have lost seven of their last ten games against the spread and have watched their previous ten games hit the Under in seven of them.

Not only have the 76ers struggled to cover games, but they’re also not winning many games either. The 76ers have 33 wins this NBA season but just three in their last ten straight up.

On the other hand, the Celtics have won against the spread in three consecutive games and are 9-1 in their last ten straight up. Still, the Over and Under has hit five times each in the previous ten games.

This will be the fourth and final regular-season meeting between the Celtics and 76ers. While the 76ers won the first matchup, the Celtics were victorious in the other two. Still, the 76ers actually covered in two of those three NBA games.

Philadelphia’s Struggles Continue

The Philadelphia 76ers most recently lost to the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday. It was the first time Doc Rivers coached in the Wells Fargo Center since being fired from his head coaching role with the 76ers.

Rivers and the Bucks still dominated the 76ers, who continue to be outclassed by their opponents.

The 76ers had just one player who scored more than 16 points. That was Tyrese Maxey, who still shot below .500, hitting eight of 19 shots. The second-leading scorer was DeAnthony Melton, who came off the bench and played only 18 minutes.

This NBA team is nothing without Joel Embiid, and it’s shown.

Kristaps Porzingis’ Development

The Boston Celtics added Kristaps Porzingis in a blockbuster trade in the offseason. Many analysts and fans weren’t sure what to expect, with Porzingis playing alongside Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Jrue Holiday.

However, it’s worked out well for the Celtics and Porzingis. The Celtics are currently the best team in the NBA with 45 wins and have shared the ball tremendously well despite so many prolific scorers on the roster.

Porzingis has been a premier No. 1 or No. 2 scorer on any team he’s been on in his career. But now he’s the No. 3 option for the Celtics.

After a dominant performance against the Knicks, he explained how he’s developed as an NBA player and person since his previous time in New York, where he was drafted.

Porzingis is finally playing with a well-constructed lineup and is no longer worried about his point total. He stated he’s just concerned about winning, which has really benefitted the Celtics and himself personally.

The Celtics are well on their way to a championship run this year. Porzingis needs to stay healthy for the playoffs.

Don’t Trust Philadelphia

The Philadelphia 76ers no longer have the scoring ability to stick with the Celtics, especially on the road.

The 76ers have done well limiting turnovers and are still incredible at getting to the foul line. But the season average free throw rate of 24.1 is partly due to Embiid’s ability to get to the foul line.

Meanwhile, the Celtics are the best at limiting foul shots, giving up a league-low 15.1 free throw rate this season.

If the 76ers can’t get to the foul line, it’s over. The Celtics have held teams to a 52.5% effective field goal percentage and just 112 points per 100 possessions this season.

Philadelphia has hit a 54% effective field goal percentage and won’t dominate the offensive glass, with the Celtics allowing only 26% of offensive rebounds per game.

Then there’s the Celtics. Boston has the best offense in the NBA, shooting an effective field goal percentage of 57.9%. Like Philadephia, the Celtics don’t turn the ball over much and should win the rebounding battle, with the 76ers allowing 28% of offensive rebounds.

On top of that, the 76ers have also given up a 22.1 free throw rate. It’s very likely the Celtics will get more foul shots on their home floor.

With Joel Embiid not off the NBA Injury report, the 76ers are toast. When you take a look at the NBA scoreboard for the score of this game, you’ll see the Celtics cruise throughout the matchup. While we could see this matchup in the NBA playoff bracket, it truly all depends on the health of Embiid.

As long as Embiid is out, I’ll lock in Boston -12 (-110) after looking over these 76ers vs Celtics odds.

For NBA betting news, NBA odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.


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