The middle game in the NBA’s Christmas quintuple-header will see the defending NBA champion Boston Celtics welcome the Philadelphia 76ers to TD Garden. The opening tip is scheduled for 5 p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN.
This matchup will be the first between these Eastern Conference foes this season. Boston won the previous three head-to-head meetings, including two victories by double-digits.
Will the Celtics continue that trend at home? Or will the Sixers make a stand on Santa’s big day? Let’s dig into the latest betting odds before diving into my 76ers vs Celtics best bets for this 2024 NBA Christmas game.
76ers vs Celtics Christmas Game Odds
NBA odds used for these best bets are current as of Monday, Dec. 23, at Noon ET and were found at DraftKings Sportsbook.
- Moneyline: 76ers (+320) • Celtics (-410)
- Spread: 76ers +9 (-110) • Celtics -9 (-110)
- Total Points: Over 222 (-110) • Under 222 (-110)
76ers vs Celtics Christmas Game Prediction
Celtics 117, 76ers 103
When the 2024 NBA Christmas schedule was released, this matchup between the defending champion Celtics and the new-look 76ers would have been the headliner. However, these teams have endured drastically different starts to the season, which has lessened the intrigue slightly.
Boston sits atop the Atlantic Division and has undeniably been one of the three best teams in the NBA this season. Jayson Tatum (28.8 points per game) and Jaylen Brown (23.4) continue to carry the scoring load, but this team is defined by its depth, especially with center Kristaps Porzingis now healthy again.
Health has held Philadelphia back this season, as the newly minted Big Three of Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Paul George have only started a handful of games together. It looks like all three should feature on Wednesday, but it’s hard to guarantee anything with this group, even with the game just days away.
Since we haven’t seen the Sixers near full strength often, it’s hard to predict what kind of effort we will see, but the safe bet is a comfortable Celtics victory.
76ers vs Celtics Christmas Game Best Bets
Celtics -9 (-110)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 Unit
The Celtics are 11-4 at TD Garden this season, with six victories by double digits. The defending champions have been particularly locked in at home against the East’s top teams, beating the Cavs, Knicks, and Bucks (twice).
I expect we’ll get Boston’s best effort here against a Philadelphia squad that is 5-8 on its travels this season and 1-5 against the spread as road underdogs. The Celtics have a huge chemistry advantage and rate out far better in most advanced metrics, so I’m taking them to win and cover as my NBA bet of the day.
Under 222 Points (-110)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 0.5 Units
I don’t have a great feel for the total, but my lean is toward the Under. This bet would’ve hit in two of last season’s four meetings, and a third finished with 224 total points.
Philadelphia plays at the slowest pace in the NBA, and Boston ranks 15th in that category, so this game shouldn’t turn into a track meet. We also shouldn’t see any late-game free throws if the C’s win by margin.
