Philadelphia 76ers vs Boston Celtics basketball prediction

Bet of the Day

Our pick:Away +6.5 incl. overtime

Odds 1.43

80%

Score prediction: 106-113

Bookmaker odds incl. overtime

Home1.86

Away1.94

Total points 215.5

Over1.90

Under1.90

Spread +1.5

Home1.78

Away1.97

Methodology

Match analysis

Philadelphia have won ten of fifteen yet outscore opponents by only 0.6 points a game, while Boston's 12-2 start carries an average margin of 13.0, and that gap is why Superior takes the Boston Celtics +6.5, Including Overtime, in Philadelphia. The projection is a 113-106 Celtics win.

Philadelphia beat Boston three times in five days last spring

Philadelphia's three straight wins over Boston all came between 28 April and 2 May, by 16 and 9 in Boston and 106-93 at home, each by more than 6.5 points. They held Boston to 97, 93 and 100 points in those games.

Philadelphia have given up 104 or more in five straight

That defence has not carried into this season. Philadelphia allow 111.1 points a game and conceded at least 104 in each of their last five, including 119 in a 24-point loss at Cleveland on 7 November. The two October meetings both went to Boston, 144-106 in Boston and 125-120 in Philadelphia on 16 October. Both teams come in on two days' rest, and Superior gives the handicap an 80% chance.

Written by the Superior Basketball Desk

Form and context