The Philadelphia 76ers head to Boston to face the Celtics in Game 7 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday, with the series tied at 3-3. What looked like a comfortable Boston series win after they took a 3-1 lead has flipped completely, with Philadelphia storming back behind elite guard play and the return of Joel Embiid. The latest result, a 106-93 Sixers win in Game 6, set up this 76ers vs Celtics Game 7. Below, I make my pick for that series decider in the betting markets.
76ers vs Celtics Game 7 Pick
- Pick: Under 206.5
- Confidence: 3 out of 5
Game Snapshot
- Matchup: Philadelphia 76ers @ Boston Celtics
- Date & Time: Saturday, May 2, 7:30 PM ET
- Venue: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
- Broadcast: NBC, Peacock
Key Storylines
The Philadelphia 76ers enter Game 7 after back-to-back convincing wins, outscoring Boston by double digits in both Games 5 and 6. The return of Joel Embiid has stabilized the offense, while Tyrese Maxey has been spectacular as the primary scorer. Boston, meanwhile, is dealing with growing pressure after failing to close out the series despite multiple opportunities.
The Celtics’ offense has stalled in recent games, with inefficient perimeter shooting and limited ball movement becoming major concerns. They shot under 42% from the field in Game 6 and struggled from three-point range. Boston is such a volatile team due to their high volume of three-point shots taken, but they have to figure out a way to hit those shots here when it matters most.
Key Players
Boston Celtics
- Jayson Tatum: Tatum had just 17 points in Game 6 and has to be better shooting the ball if the Boston Celtics are going to avoid a shocking first-round exit.
- Jaylen Brown: Leading the team with 28.7 points per game, Brown’s scoring consistency is critical. His struggles in Game 6 highlight how important his efficiency is to Boston’s success.
- Derrick White: Averaging 5.4 assists per game, White plays a key role in facilitating the offense. Boston needs better playmaking to avoid stagnant possessions.
Philadelphia 76ers
- Tyrese Maxey: Averaging 28.3 points and 6.6 assists per game, Maxey has been the driving force behind Philadelphia’s comeback. His 30-point performance in Game 6 shows his ability to take over.
- Joel Embiid: In Game 6, Embiid posted 19 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists, showing his all-around impact even without elite scoring efficiency. Fatigue will be a big question for him after recently returning from injury.
- Paul George: Adding 23 points in Game 6, George provides scoring and strong defense on the wing, which has been vital against Boston’s perimeter players.
Head-to-Head & Betting Trends
- Philadelphia has won 2 straight games to tie things at 3-3 after trailing 3-1 in the series.
- These teams are 5-5 against each other this season going into Game 7.
- The Sixers enter this game at 48-41 against the spread for the season.
- Boston is 51-37 against the spread between the regular season and playoffs.
76ers vs Celtics Game 7 Model Projection
- Score Projection: Philadelphia 76ers 100 – Boston Celtics 103
- Win Probability: Philadelphia 76ers 44%, Boston Celtics 56%
Boston still holds the edge on paper, especially with home court and a stronger defense over the full season. Philadelphia has found a rhythm offensively, with Maxey leading the way and Embiid anchoring the interior again. Above all else, I think this is going to be a tight game where the pace slows down significantly down the stretch. It’s hard to handicap the Celtics given their three-point shooting volatility, but I lean toward the under as my best bet for this Game 7.
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