NBA

Philadelphia 76ers vs Boston Celtics Game 3 Prediction and Odds: 2023 NBA Playoffs

The Eastern Conference Playoffs are heating up as the Philadelphia 76ers are hosting the Boston Celtics tonight for Game 3 of the second round. The series is tied at 1-1 and this game may set the tone for the rest of the way.

These odds from William Hill were correct at the time of writing.

Boston Celtics vs Philadelphia 76ers Prediction
Photo : PA Images / Icon Sport

Philadelphia 76ers vs Boston Celtics – Game Predictions

The first two games of the series proved that this one will be a tough battle and really tough to predict. The Sixers stole the opening game of the series on the road without Joel Embiid and then lost by 34 with the MVP on the court. Now, the series moves to Philadelphia dn despite the Sixers will have the home-court advantage, the Celtics are still slight favorites to win Game 3.

Prediction 1: Philadelphia 76ers to Cover the Spread (+2)

Game 3 may prove to be the crucial game in the series and the team that will take the lead tonight will be in the driver’s seat for the rest of the series. The Sixers were blown out in Game 2 which shifted the momentum to the Celtics despite they dropped the series opener at home. Joel Embiid will be aggressive as he wants to show once again that he is the MVP of the league. The Celtics are probably the best defensive team in the league but limiting Embiid will not be easy tonight. This is at least a 50-50 game so going with the Sixers covering the +2 point spread seems like a logic choice.

Prediction 2: James Harden over 21.5 points

After an amazing performance in Game 1 of the series scoring 45 points including the game-winner, James Harden had a night of the next game. He scored only 12 points in Game 2 on 2 of 14 shooting from the field and missing all 6 three-point attempts. The Sixers will need Harden to be hot tonight and he will respond by going over 21.5 points. The former MVP is averaging 21 points per game in the regular season and exactly the same in the 6 Playoffs so far.

76ers vs Celtics Preview – Will Embiid dominate the rest of the series?

Joel Embiid recently won the MVP award after failing just short in the previous two years. He had a fantastic regular season leading the league with 33.1 points per game and also adding 10.2 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game. He was dominating the opening-round series against the Brooklyn Nets when news came out that he has suffered an injury. After missing the opening game of the series against Boston, he returned to action for Game 2. Now, as the series moves to Philadelphia, all eyes would be on him. This is the time when he needs to step up and prove once again that he really deserved the MVP award.

Philadelphia 76ers News, Injuries, and Starting Lineups

The Sixers got Joel Embiid back and that makes things much easier for them. However, they lost the previous game with the MVP back in the lineup and now will have to regroup as the series moves to Philly. This team has been building for years now and it is about time to prove if they are true contenders or just a decent Playoff team.

Philadelphia 76ers Injury Report:

Doc Rivers has his full roster available for tonight.

Philadelphia 76ers Starting Lineup:

James Harden, Tyrese Maxey, PJ Tucker Tobias Harris and Joel Embiid

Boston Celtics News, Injuries, and Starting Lineups

The Boston Celtics lost the opening game of the series and the home-court advantage with that. Still, the way the Celtics dominated Game 2 with Joel Embiid in the lineup, they are still the favorites to win this one. If they are able to keep the defensive intensity they showed in Game 2, the Celtics can expect to regain the home-court advantage in the series.

Boston Celtics Injury Report:

Danilo Gallinari is out for season.

Boston Celtics Starting Lineup:

Marcus Smart, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Al Horford and Robert Williams III

76ers vs Celtics Head to Head Record In 2023

The Celtics won the series against the Sixers 3-1 in the 2022-23 regular season.

Philadelphia 76ers vs Boston Celtics Game Details

Philadelphia 76ers vs Boston Celtics

  • Date & Time: Friday, May 5, 7:30 p.m. ET
  • Venue: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA
  • Where to watch in the UK: TNT on TV or fuboTV on a live stream


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