The Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers get their seasons going at TD Garden. The game is scheduled to start at 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday, October 16, 2018.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 209 points with Boston set as a 4.5-point favorite.
Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics Free Prediction
This will be a rematch of last season’s Eastern Conference Semifinal which Boston won in five games. The Celtics would go on to the Conference Finals, where they lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers in seven games. Philadelphia clinched the third seed (52-30) while Boston was the two seed (55-27).
Points could be at a premium as a pair of the NBA’s top defenses face off. Boston ranked second in defensive efficiency (102.8) and Philadelphia was third (102.9) last season. Conflicting tempos will be on display in this contest. The fast-breaking 76ers ranked fourth in possessions per game, while the slower-paced Celtics ranked 25th.
The 76ers were 52-30 straight up (SU) and 49-32-1 against the spread (ATS) last season. Of Philadelphia’s 82 games that accepted bets last season, 41 finished over the projected point total.
On the other side, the Celtics were 55-27 SU and 51-47-2 ATS last season. Contrary to Philadelphia, just over half of Boston’s games finished under the projected point total.
The Celtics won seven out of nine meetings against the 76ers last season. In the last matchup, Boston won 114-112. Boston had a much better turnover percentage (8.8 vs. 14.3). Philadelphia, meanwhile, had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (31.6 vs. 26.5).
Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics Pick
Free Pick: SU Winner – 76ers, ATS Winner – 76ers, O/U – Under
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Notes
Betting Notes (2017-Present):
In games where they allow below 100 points, Philadelphia is 24-0 and Boston is 42-7.
In games where they reach 100 points, the 76ers are 54-22 and the Celtics are 51-15.
Boston ranks third in steals allowed per game (7.0) while Philadelphia ranks 25th (8.4).
The 76ers rank eighth in points in the paint per game (47.2) while the Celtics rank 29th (40.1).
Boston ranks sixth in points off turnovers allowed per game (14.9) while Philadelphia ranks 27th (18.2).
The 76ers rank second in assists per game (26.9) while the Celtics rank 21st (22.2).
Philadelphia ranks first in rebounds per game (47.7) while Boston ranks 19th in rebounds allowed per game (43.7).
The 76ers rank fifth in second chance points per game (13.8) while the Celtics rank 16th (12.2).
Philadelphia ranks 16th in fast break points per game (11.3) while Boston ranks 27th (9.6).
The Celtics average 30.4 three pointers per game, which ranks ninth in the NBA. The 76ers rank 16th in three pointers allowed per game (29.6).
Boston ranks 20th in blocks per game (4.5) while Philadelphia ranks 24th in blocks allowed per game (5.2).
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