After a long four-month hiatus, the NBA is back. Ushering in the 2022-23 campaign is a grudge match that will likely have everyone on the edge of their seats. The Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics will kick things off at TD Garden this evening and there’s plenty to look for from a betting perspective.
Both of these teams figure to be Eastern Conference powerhouses, but that doesn’t come as a shock. Philadelphia had a brilliant offseason and is coming off of a 51-campaign where things were much more unsettled. As for the Celtics, they fell an inch shy of winning the NBA Championship last season, as the experience of the Warriors proved too much for Jayson Tatum and company.
But while Philadelphia retained James Harden and added some key defensive names such as PJ Tucker and De’Anthony Melton, the Celtics arguably took a step back.
They added Malcolm Brogdon, Blake Griffin, and Danilo Gallinari as depth pieces, making them look formidable…for a few moments. Gallinari tore his ACL during the FIBA World Cup which was a big blow, and then Head Coach Ime Udoka was pulled into the national spotlight for a controversial scandal that has as many different opinions as it does layers. With Joe Mazzulla holding the interim spot, the Celtics have to prove they can push on amidst all the noise surrounding the team, which is no easy task…especially against Philadelphia.
76ers vs Celtics betting information
- Spread: Celtics -2 | 76ers +2
- Over/under: 216.5 points
- Money line: Celtics -135 | 76ers +115
76ers vs Celtics betting preview
The Celtics were originally 4-point favorites going into this game but the line has now halved. The Sixers just feel like the more complete team here. Tyrese Maxey looked electric from range during his preseason outings and Daryl Morey did a fantastic job in the offseason to solidify a strong core of players around Joel Embiid.
If Boston is going to win this game, they have to stop Embiid and the 76ers getting to the foul line, but that task is going to be far more difficult now that James Harden is more than acclimated with his new surroundings. Sprinkle in the fact that there’s no Gallinari, no Williams III, and an interim Head Coach, and I think you can make the argument that the Sixers will evaporate any remaining momentum.
I’m all-in on the Sixers tonight.
Use this DraftKings PA promo and get an exciting bonus after placing a $5 wager on any Sixers vs Celtics line. Win or lose the $5 wager, DraftKings will give you $100 INSTANTLY, before the game even tips off!
AP Photo/Ron Schwane
