Celtics vs. 76ers 2026 NBA Playoffs Game 4 prediction, odds, pick

The Boston Celtics received their wake-up call in Game 2 of their first-round series against the Philadelphia 76ers. The Sixers walked into TD Garden and beat the Celtics up and down the floor and squared their first-round series with a 111-97 road victory.

The experienced Celtics have been there many times before and losing at home may have been painful, but it did not lead to panic. Head coach Joe Mazzulla’s team needed a win on the road if they were going to survive and advance, and the NBA’s playoff schedule would give them three chances to do so. The Celtics took advantage on their first attempt, taking a 2-1 series lead with a 108-100 victory Friday night.

The two teams will square off Sunday in Game 4 of the series at the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, with a tip-off time of 7 p.m. ET (NBC, Peacock). The Sixers will look to Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe to get the best of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, but the Celtics have a deep team that clearly knows how to play in a hostile environment. A win by the Celtics gives them a fairly smooth past to the second round, but a home win by the Sixers turns this into a best-of-3 battle that increases the pressure on the C’s.

NBA odds courtesy of DraftKings

Celtics vs. 76ers Odds

Boston Celtics: -7.5 (-110)

Philadelphia 76ers: +7.5 (-110)

Over: 213.5 (-110)

Under: 213.5 (-110)

Celtics vs. 76ers Key Injuries

Boston Celtics: No injuries reported

Philadelphia 76ers: Joel Embiid (appendectomy-doubtful)

Celtics vs. 76ers Betting Trends

• The Celtics had a 56-26 regular-season record.
• The Celtics are 27-15 ATS on the road this season, including the postseason.
• The Celtics are 50-32-1 ATS this season, including the postseason.
• The Celtics are 8-3-0 ATS in their last 11 games against the 76ers.
• The Celtics are -278 (bet $278 to win $100) on the money line.
• The 76ers had a 45-37 regular-season record.
• The 76ers have gone 21-22 at home ATS this season, including the postseason.
• The 76ers are 13-26 straight up as underdogs.
• The 76ers are +225 (bet $100 to win $225) on the money line.

Keys to Celtics vs. 76ers Game 4 Matchup

The Celtics showed their resiliency in Game 3 as they picked up a critical victory on the road after letting a home game get away from them. However, it was more than just the effort that got the job done for the Celtics. It was a heavyweight fight with both sides throwing punches. The Celtics got hit in the mouth more than once, but they punched back every time.

The key players are Tatum and Brown, but the Celtics are so much more than that. Tatum hit the key shots down the stretch in Game 3, hitting a pair of 3-pointers that helped give Boston their late margin. Brown displayed his toughness, drive and overall skill with his 25-point effort.

Mazzulla knows that his two stars are not going to both have peak efforts on an every-night basis. Payton Pritchard comes off the bench, handles the ball expertly and hits clutch shots. He scored 15 points in Game 3 and made 5 of 10 3 pointers. Derrick White is currently in a shooting slump and is coming off a 3 of 12 effort that included 1 of 8 from beyond the arc, but he came up with a key offensive rebound in the final minutes that allowed Tatum to hit one of his clutch 3-pointers.

Neemias Queta, Nikola Vucevic, Sam Hauser and Baylor Scheierman all have the ability to make key plays that help the Celtics pressure the Sixers.

76ers are led by their two stars

The Sixers may have come into this series as significant underdogs, but the presence of Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe have been formidable.

Maxey is capable of carrying the Sixers for long stretches because of his speed and explosiveness. He dominated the Celtics in Philadelphia’s Game 2 victory and he came through with 31 points in Game 3. Edgecombe was also brilliant in Game 2 as he came through with 30 points and 10 rebounds, but he could not sustain that performance in Game 3.

Edgecombe was held to 10 points as he converted just 5 of 17 shots from the field and he was a shocking 0 of 7 on his shots from beyond the arc.

If the Sixers are going to come up with the win, they will also need key contributions from Paul George and Kelly Oubre.

The 76ers would appear to have a much better chance of winning this game if Embiid is capable of playing significant minutes and making a key contribution.

Celtics vs. 76ers Prediction and Pick

The Celtics were one of the most surprising teams in the regular season, as they played way above expectations without Tatum in the lineup for more than 75 percent of the regular season. They rose to second place in the Eastern Conference behind the Detroit Pistons and they served notice that they have the team to play in the NBA Finals once Tatum returned.

The 76ers were not consistent during the regular season as they could look brilliant some nights and then come back with a nothing effort shortly thereafter.

The Sixers were blown out in Game 1, but they came back with a full effort in Game 2 and 3. The belief here is that they will be all-out to square the series in Game 4. This game should be back and forth for 48 minutes, and the Sixers will stay  close. Look for the 76ers to get the cover as the Celtics make the final shot and win the game.

Final Celtics-76ers Prediction & Pick: Philadelphia 76ers +7.5 (-110); UNDER 213.5 (-110)

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