76ers vs. Celtics Game 1 Predictions, Picks & Odds: NBA Playoffs, 5/1

Author:
Mark Lammey
Publish date:
Apr 30, 2023 10:14 AM EDT

In what was expected to be the second round matchup in the 2023 NBA playoffs, we’re set with the Philadelphia 76ers taking on the Boston Celtics. They were two of the favorites to win the Eastern Conference throughout the season, and with the Milwaukee Bucks now eliminated, both teams should be excited about their path.

With a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals rewarded to the winner of this series, our experts have provided their 76ers vs. Celtics predictions for how the series should begin. We’ll also be outlined how to take advantage of our best bet to claim a $150 bonus offer when joining FanDuel Sportsbook.

76ERS VS. CELTICS PREDICTION: Philly +9 (-110 at FanDuel Sportsbook)

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Injury Statuses for Key Players Such as Joel Embiid

Before we fully dive into our 76ers vs. Celtics predictions, it’s important to make sure we’re locked into the injury concerns for each team. That’s especially true when such key players are involved. The 76ers have been dealing with injuries to stars Joel Embiid and James Harden throughout the season, and that’s also why we’re not surprised to see them as the clear underdogs for Monday’s Game 1.

While Harden is 100%, Embiid recently suffered a sprained LCL in his left knee. He’s listed as day-to-day, but head coach Doc Rivers recently indicated that we would label him as “doubtful” for Game 1. After that news, the spread for this matchup skyrocketed, so let’s get started breaking down how that’s affected our 76ers vs. Celtics predictions.

Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics Predictions for Game 1

As mentioned, along with the Bucks, the 76ers and Celtics were two of the teams expected to come out of the Eastern Conference. That’s not too surprising given how they’ve performed in recent years and the superstars on both teams.

Philly’s Embiid is a top candidate for the MVP award, while there’s nearly always a case for Boston’s Jayson Tatum as well. Embiid’s doubtful status has now made Philly a huge nine-point underdog. There’s no denying that it’s a huge blow for the 76ers, but is nearly a double-digit spread a bit of an overreaction? The best bet from our 76ers vs. Celtics predictions is here to help answer that question.

NBA Picks & Best Bets for 76ers vs. Celtics Game 1 Featuring Philly +9

Embiid may not lead his team to a series-opening win, but the best bet from our 76ers vs. Celtics predictions is for them to keep things close. In fact, they won’t even need to keep things that close, as the point spread is greater than two possessions.

That simply seems far too great between two of the best teams in the NBA that were separated by just three games in the standings by seasons’ end. Philly has had no issues being competitive with Boston throughout the season. They either defeated the Celtics or pushed a nine-point spread in three of their four matchups. The only contest that was a nine-point win for Boston was way back in mid-October.

A nine-point spread in the second round of the NBA playoffs is about as substantial as it gets, so we’re confident backing Philly +9 with -110 odds at FanDuel Sportsbook as the best bet from our 76ers vs. Celtics predictions.

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If you’d like to roll with our 76ers vs. Celtics predictions for Game 1, or even if you have a different pick in mind, be sure to join FanDuel Sportsbook ahead of tip-off. There’s never been a better time, as all new members can lock in a guaranteed $150 bonus with just a $5 bet.

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Latest 76ers vs. Celtics Betting Lines, Spreads & Odds for Game 1 at FanDuel

To help you best take advantage of our 76ers vs. Celtics predictions, we also have the latest lines and odds at FanDuel Sportsbook. Philly +9 comes with -110 odds, while Boston -9 comes with the same -110 price.

So, an $11 wager on the 76ers profits $10 if they lose by eight points or fewer or win the game outright, while the same $11 bet on the Celtics profits $10 if they win by at least 10 points. If Boston wins by exactly nine points, bets on both sides of point spread are graded as a push and all wagers are refunded.

The total, or over/under, is listed at 214 points with -110 odds on both the over and under. Remember, any and all markets are available to you to claim your guaranteed $150 bonus after creating a new account at FanDuel and betting just $5.

76ers vs. Celtics Playoff Schedule: Round 2

While our 76ers vs. Celtics predictions are focused on Monday’s Game 1, we’ve also listed the schedule for the entire series for you below:

Game 1: Monday, May 1 at 7:30 PM ET (at Boston)
Game 2: Wednesday, May 3 at 8 PM ET (at Boston)
Game 3: Friday, May 5 at 7:30 PM ET (at Philly)
Game 4: Sun, May 7 at 3:30 PM ET (at Philly)
Game 5 (if necessary): Tuesday, May 9; Time TBD (at Boston)
Game 6 (if necessary): Thursday, May 11; Time TBD (at Philly)
Game 7 (if necessary): Sunday, Mat 14; Time TBA (at Boston)

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