The Boston Celtics (8-2) visit the Philadelphia 76ers (9-2) on Tuesday night with first place in the Eastern Conference standings on the line. Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
Team Form and Key Statistics
Both teams enter on winning streaks. The 76ers defeated the Chicago Bulls 127-121 on Sunday, while the Celtics beat the Milwaukee Bucks 117-97. Philadelphia ranks second in the NBA in turnover percentage (11.4%) and fifth in defensive rating (108.1). Boston boasts the second-best net rating in the league (+11.1) and ranks in the top six in both offensive rating (119.6) and defensive rating (108.4). The Celtics have also held opponents to 93.0 points per game during their current three-game winning streak and shoot 37.6% from three-point range, fifth in the NBA.
Offseason Moves
According to the betting preview, the 76ers assembled a superteam by signing LeBron James and acquiring Jaylen Brown via trade to join Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, and V.J. Edgecombe. The Celtics, meanwhile, moved Brown in a deal that brought Paul George and a package of draft picks to Boston. George has averaged 20.4 points per game while shooting 42.5% from three-point range, serving as the second scoring option behind Jayson Tatum (27.1 ppg).
Betting Odds and Model Predictions
Boston is listed as a 1.5-point road favorite with the over/under set at 217.5 points. A proven computer model projects the Celtics to cover the spread in 68% of simulations and the total to go over 217.5 in 60% of simulations, with an average combined score of 225 points.
