The Philadelphia 76ers, 5-point favorites, welcome the Boston Celtics to Wells Fargo Center to commence their seasons. Action begins at 7:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, October 23, 2019, and can be seen on ESPN.
Boston Celtics at Philadelphia 76ers Betting Odds
Boston made the playoffs last season after a 49-33 regular season campaign that earned them the four seed in the Eastern Conference. They reached the Conference Semifinals, where they were defeated by the Milwaukee Bucks in five games. Meanwhile, Philadelphia reached the Conference Semifinals last season as the three seed in the Eastern Conference, where they fell to the Toronto Raptors in seven games. The 76ers went 51-31 in the regular season.
The Celtics were 49-33 straight up (SU) and 60-37-4 against the spread (ATS) last season. Boston games had a slight tendency to go over the O/U total (51.5 percent).
On the other side, the 76ers were 51-31 SU and 53-39 ATS last season. Coinciding with Boston, just over half of Philadelphia’s games finished over the O/U total.
It could be a mistake-prone game for the Philadelphia offense. In the 2018-19 season, Philadelphia ranked 26th in the league in ball protection (turnover percentage of 14.1 percent), while the ball-hawking defense of Boston forced the ninth-most turnovers in the NBA (14.0 percent). Additionally, the Celtics, who ranked 26th in offensive rebounding percentage (21.1 percent), will clash against the 76ers, who ranked fifth in defensive rebounding percentage (78.7 percent).
Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers Free Pick
Free Pick: SU Winner – Celtics, ATS Winner – Celtics, O/U – Over
Betting Notes (2018-Present):
- The 76ers rank fourth in assists per game (26.6) while the Celtics rank ninth (25.8).
- Philadelphia ranks sixth in second chance points per game (14.2) while Boston ranks 26th (12.1).
- The Celtics rank seventh in points off turnovers allowed per game (15.0) while the 76ers rank 25th (17.5).
- Philadelphia ranks ninth in three pointers allowed per game (30.4) while Boston ranks 25th (33.8).
- Philadelphia ranks 14th in points in the paint per game (49.1) while Boston ranks 26th (43.8).
- The 76ers rank second in rebounds per game (47.9) while the Celtics rank 22nd in rebounds allowed per game (45.9).
- The Celtics average 16.2 fast break points per game, which ranks seventh in the league. The 76ers rank 21st in fast break points allowed per game (14.8).
- Boston is second in the NBA with 3.9 blocks allowed per game while Philadelphia is third with 4.0 blocks allowed per game.
- Boston ranks second in steals allowed per game (6.8) while Philadelphia ranks 21st (7.8).
- In games where they allow below 100 points, Boston is 20-4 and Philadelphia is 14-1.
- When reaching the century mark, the Celtics are 52-27 and the 76ers are 57-25.
