76ers vs. Celtics 2026 NBA Playoffs Series Preview, Picks, Odds

Two longtime Atlantic Division rivals in the 76ers and Celtics meet in this first-round clash, one that Boston is heavily favored for. The fact Joel Embiid will miss the series for Philadelphia due to his recent appendicitis certainly has a significant role to play in his team’s heavy underdog status, but another stellar season by a Celtics team that looked better than ever down the stretch of the regular season also factors in heavily.

76ers vs. Celtics Series Betting Analysis

The 76ers had to navigate plenty of adversity during the 2025-26 regular season, with Embiid’s troublesome knee and other injuries and Paul George’s 25-game PED ban being front and center. Philadelphia still managed a 21-win improvement over its disastrous 2024-25 campaign, and unsurprisingly, Tyrese Maxey was once again the player who shouldered the heaviest load. The star point guard averaged a career-high 28.3 points and added 6.6 rebounds, 4.1 rebounds and 1.9 steals across 38.0 minutes per contest. Philly did struggle to keep its head above water in its own conference, however, scuffling to a 27-25 mark in that split.

The Celtics’ season was quite the pleasant surprise, at least when viewed through the lens of how the 2025-26 season’s outlook stood in the wake of last spring’s semifinal-round loss to the Knicks, the series where Jayson Tatum tore his Achilles. Tatum was initially thought to be in line to miss the entire season, but the star forward attacked his rehab was trademark ferocity and was able to make his return to the floor on March 6.

Not only did Tatum quickly get up to speed, but the spring in his step compared to the rest of the league late in the season was evident as he finished with averages of 25.1 points 11.0 rebounds, 7.4 assists and 1.4 steals over his last seven games. In addition to Tatum apparently being back to elite form, Jaylen Brown had an opportunity to corroborate his ability to carry the Celtics during Tatum’s absence over the first several months, delivering a career-high 28.7 points, co-career-best 6.9 rebounds and career-high 5.1 assists per contest.

The two teams split the four-game regular-season series, with three of the games being decided by two points or fewer and Boston’s victory in the final meeting between the two coming by 14 points.

Besides Embiid, the 76ers are not dealing with any other injuries of note. The Celtics should also have a clean bill of health, as all players that were rested for the regular-season finale are expected to suit up for Game 1.

The 76ers are 17-20 ATS as an underdog since the start of the regular season, while the Celtics sported a 34-24 mark against the number as a favorite.

76ers vs. Celtics Series Prediction, Pick & Best Bet

The Celtics winning the series over the 76ers in five games is the best bet.

Best Bet: BOS 4-1 (+210)
Series Prediction: BOS 4-1 (+210)

76ers vs. Celtics Series Schedule

• Sun., Apr. 19 – Philadelphia at Boston, Game 1 – 1:00 p.m./ABC
• Tues., Apr. 21 – Philadelphia at Boston, Game 2 – 7:00 p.m./NBC, Peacock
• Fri., Apr. 24 – Boston at Philadelphia, Game 3 – 7:00 p.m./APVO
• Sun., Apr. 26 – Boston at Philadelphia, Game 4 – 7:00 p.m./NBC, Peacock
• Tues. Apr. 28 – Philadelphia at Boston, Game 5 if nec. – TBD
• Thu., Apr. 30 – Boston at Philadelphia, Game 6 if nec. – TBD
• Sat., May 2 – Philadelphia at Boston, Game 7 if nec. – TBD

76ers vs. Celtics  Series Odds

Series Winner

• Celtics (-900)
• Philadelphia (+600)

Series Spread

• Celtics +1.5 (-2000)
• Celtics -1.5 (-350)
• Celtics +2.5 (-10000)
• Celtics -2.5 (-175)
• 76ers +1.5 (+270)
• 76ers -1.5 (+950)
• 76ers +2.5 (+150)
• 76ers -2.5 (+2000)

Total Games

• Over 5.5 (+160)
• Under 5.5 (-190)

Series Score

• Celtics 4-0 (+180)
• Celtics 4-1 (+210)
• Celtics 4-2 (+550)
• Celtics 4-3 (+550)
• 76ers 4-0 (+10000)
• 76ers 4-1 (+5000)
• 76ers 4-2 (+1400)
• 76ers 4-3 (+1300)

76ers vs. Celtics Series Betting Resources

• NBA Playoff Odds
• NBA Finals Odds
• NBA Game Odds
• NBA Daily Betting Trends
• NBA First Basket Picks
• NBA Starting Lineups

76ers vs. Celtics Series Players to Watch

Philadelphia 76ers

• Tyrese Maxey: 28.3 ppg; 6.6 apg
• Paul George: 17.3 ppg; 5.3 rpg
• VJ Edgecombe: 16.0 ppg; 5.6 rpg

Boston Celtics

• Jayson Tatum: 21.8 ppg; 10.0 rpg; 5.3 apg
• Jaylen Brown: 28.7 ppg; 6.9 rpg; 5.1 apg
• Derrick White: 16.5 ppg; 5.4 apg

Photo Credit: AP/Matt Rourke