Celtics Aim to Extend Dominance Over Struggling 76ers
Boston Heavily Favored Against Depleted Philadelphia
The Boston Celtics (44-18, 20-11 home) are riding a wave of momentum as they prepare to host the Philadelphia 76ers (21-40, 10-19 away) on Thursday night. With the 76ers mired in a dismal 1-11 stretch and missing several key players, the Celtics find themselves as hefty 13.5-point favorites in the NBA odds. The game tips off at 7:30 pm ET from TD Garden, with TNT broadcasting the action.
Injury-Riddled 76ers Limping Into Boston
The 76ers’ struggles have been compounded by a slew of injuries to their roster. Star guard Tyrese Maxey (back) and Kyle Lowry (hip) are both sidelined for Thursday’s contest, while Paul George (groin) and Justin Edwards (ankle) are listed as questionable. Adding to their woes, Joel Embiid (knee) has been ruled out for the remainder of the season.
Celtics Depth on Display Despite Injuries
Boston, too, has been dealing with its fair share of injuries. Jayson Tatum (shoulder), Kristaps Porzingis, and Jrue Holiday (finger) all missed Wednesday’s 128-118 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. However, the Celtics’ depth was on full display, with Payton Pritchard erupting for 43 points and Derrick White contributing 41 points off the bench.
Player Props and Predictions
Despite the injuries, Tatum and Jaylen Brown hold the top two scoring props for Thursday, with Tatum’s line set at 27.5 points and Brown’s at 22.5 points. Brown’s assist line of 3.5 looks particularly gettable, as he’s had four or more dimes in four of his last six outings.
For the 76ers, recent acquisition Quentin Grimes has emerged as a scoring threat, tied with George for Philadelphia’s highest scoring prop at 17.5 points. Grimes is coming off a 30-point performance against the Timberwolves and a 44-point outburst against the Golden State Warriors just two games ago.
Celtics Poised for Comfortable Victory
While the 76ers are clinging to faint playoff hopes, their recent form and depleted roster suggest they will face an uphill battle against the defending champions. The Celtics have won eight of their last 10 games and have dominated the head-to-head matchup, taking five of the last six meetings against Philadelphia.
With their depth on full display and the 76ers struggling mightily, the Celtics should have little trouble extending their dominance and securing a comfortable victory at home.
Picks and Predictions
Celtics -13.5 (-112)
Jaylen Brown Over 3.5 assists (-130)
