The NBA Christmas Day games feature a tantalizing matchup between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Boston Celtics. The Celtics have picked up right where they left off, starting the new season hot after their 2024 NBA championship. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have become the best duo in the NBA, and the Celtics deep lineup gives them a great chance at beating the 76ers. Things haven’t gone according to plan for Philadelphia, as their superstars have missed the time to start the season with injuries. This has greatly affected the NBA odds for the 76ers, and their insights are significantly lower than expected at this stage of the season. Joel Embiid played only 39 games last season and is once again on the sidelines. Unless there is a setback, he will be healthy for this matchup against the Celtics, giving Philadelphia a huge boost. The 76ers have been unable to turn their regular season dominance into playoff success, and a big win over the reigning champions could get them ready for a successful NBA season.
Matchup: 76ers vs Celtics Overview
- Teams: Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics
- Date: Wednesday, December 25th, 2024
- Time: Tip-off is at 5:00 PM EST
- Venue: TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts
Win Probabilities:
The win probabilities are closer than expected for this high profile NBA game. The Boston Celtics are the defending NBA champions, have home-court advantage, and have a much better record this season. As a result, they have a 67.69% chance to win their NBA matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers. On the other hand, the Philadelphia 76ers have a pair of talented players, Paul George and Joel Embiid, who have yet to make an impact this season. They have a 32.31% chance to upset the Boston Celtics, and that number will climb even higher if the 76ers stars can seamlessly get back onto the court.
Projected Final Score:
Using expert picks and recent insights from NBA games, we can generate a projected final score for every game. The projected final score for the Christmas Day matchup between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Boston Celtics is Boston Celtics 119-110 Philadelphia 76ers.
Spurs vs Knicks Odds
| Philadelphia 76ers | Boston Celtics | |
| Moneyline | +225 | -320 |
| Spread | +7.5 | -7.5 |
The NBA odds for the midday Christmas day showdown between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Boston Celtics are closer than expected. The 76ers haven’t been able to get off to a hot start this season, but Paul George and Joel Embiid will be eager to make an impact. The Boston Celtics are -320 favorites according to the moneyline NBA odds, with the 76ers returning at +225. The total points are quite high at 226.5 points, as both of these teams have several talented scorers capable of pushing up the points.
| Over 226.5 Points | Under 226.5 Points |
| -115 | -115 |
Expert Prediction: Who Wins?
Why the Philadelphia 76ers Could Win
The Philadelphia 76ers have all the talent they need to beat the Boston Celtics, it is just about building enough chemistry to pick up the victory. The 76ers made big offseason moves by acquiring Paul George, but it hasn’t gone to plan after they won just three of their first 17 games. George and former MVP Joel Embiid have both dealt with injuries, and the 76ers will need them healthy if they are to pull off this win.
When Joel Embiid is on his game, there is no way to slow down the big Cameroon native. Embiid can drive into the paint with force like no one else in the league, and the only option is to send him to the charity stripe. Embiid may shoot too many free throws for the casual NBA fans’ liking, but he will not turn down easy points from the line. Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford both lack the physicality needed to stop Embiid, and he could lead the 76ers to a big win on Christmas Day. Rookie Jared McCain has been excellent for the 76ers in the absence of their superstars, and his riveting play could help the 76ers get over the line in Boston.
Why the Boston Celtics Could Win
There are countless reasons why the Boston Celtics can win any given NBA game. Their cohesion between the starters and role players is second to none in the NBA, allowing them to seamlessly rotate their players over 48 minutes. The Celtics also shoot an incredible number of three-pointers, setting the NBA record for making 29 three-pointers in their season opener.
Jayson Tatum may have failed to win FMVP last season, but he is still the most influential player in the Celtics. His ability to contribute on both the offensive and defensive ends makes him a valuable asset, something the 76ers can’t match. Tatum has scored 28.4 PPG this season, but his willingness to pass the ball has been the real difference maker. He’s averaging a career high 5.8 assists per game this season. Tatum will frequently draw double teams, and his ability to keep his head up and look for teammates is crucial to the Celtics’ success.
Boston has repeatedly shown that they are worthy favorites in this matchup and poised for a second straight NBA title. As long as the Celtics don’t go ice-cold from behind the line, they will be able to pick up the victory against the Philadelphia 76ers.
How to Make Philadelphia 76ers vs Boston Celtics Picks
There are many different options for your expert picks and predictions for the Philadelphia 76ers vs Boston Celtics matchup, but the choice for where to make your NBA picks is clear. Sportzino has the most competitive NBA odds for your Christmas Day NBA picks and has a variety of NBA odds and lines to choose from. This includes spreads, totals, moneylines, and player props.
