76ers vs. Celtics Prediction
The Philadelphia 76ers and the host Boston Celtics will resume their rivalry tonight to kick off the NBA regular season. Will the 76ers earn a victory after falling to the Celtics in the Eastern Conference Semifinals last May?
Game Snapshot
501 Philadelphia 76ers at 502 Boston Celtics
Tuesday, October 16, 2018
TD Garden at 8:05PM ET
TV: TNT
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Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, the Celtics are a 5-point favorite to win on the spread line. The over-under is set at 210.5 runs. As of Tuesday morning, 66 percent of public bets are being placed on host Boston. Check out our NBA Public Betting Page for the latest info.
Simmons expected to play
Philadelphia point guard Ben Simmons has been dealing with a neck injury, but is expected to suit up tonight in the opener at Boston. Simmons is coming off a Rookie of the Year campaign in which he put up 15.8 points per game plus 8.2 assists and 8.1 rebounds. Simmons had a PER of 20.03. He will once again team up with Joel Embiid (22.9 ppg, 11.0 rpg, 1.8 bpg) to form the core of a rising 76ers squad.
Hayward ready to suit up
Boston had a remarkable season a year ago considering it lost prized free agent signing Gordon Hayward five minutes into the regular season due to a broken leg. The Celtics also made the Eastern Conference Finals despite being without star point guard Kyrie Irving as he was out with a knee injury. Both are healthy and ready to suit up tonight, although Hayward is going to be on a minutes restriction around 25 minutes. Irving averaged 24.8 points, 5.1 assists and 3.8 rebounds in 60 regular season games last season.
NBA Betting Trends
Philadelphia
The over is 6-1 in the last seven Sixers road games. Philadelphia is 1-4 ATS in its last five meetings in Boston.
Boston
The Celtics are 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings overall. The over is 9-3 in the last 12 meetings in Boston.
Prediction:
Boston had Philadelphia’s number in the postseason, but might have to regain a little chemistry with Hayward returning and even Irving back in the fold again. Philadelphia should be improved this season and this is an opportunity to make a big statement. I think it goes down to the wire, which will give the 76ers a great chance to not only cover the spread but perhaps win outright.
NBA DAILY PREDICTION: PHILADELPHIA 76ERS +5