Boston visits Philadelphia at Xfinity Mobile Arena at 8:00 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock. Boston is favored by 1.5, and the total is 215.5. The Sixers took last spring’s playoff series, but Boston comes in with the stronger early defensive numbers. See the full NBA slate.
Boston Can Make Philadelphia Work for Its First Good Look
The Celtics are 8-2 and 3-2 on the road after winning 117-97 at Milwaukee on Sunday. That followed a 119-80 win at Charlotte. Philadelphia is a much bigger test than either team, particularly when the game comes down to individual shot creation.
Boston averages 115.0 points and allows 104.3. The defense is why I prefer the Celtics in a short spread. If they can keep Maxey from getting downhill on the first screen, they can make Philadelphia use more clock before it gets a shot it wants.
Paul George led Boston with 27 at Milwaukee. Jayson Tatum had 34 points, nine assists and eight rebounds at Charlotte. That’s useful variety for a close game: Boston can start with Tatum and still have someone who can score when the defense gets the ball out of his hands.
Philadelphia Can Keep This Close From the Foul Line and the Paint
The 76ers are 9-2 and 4-1 at home after winning 127-121 at Chicago on Sunday. They scored 95 at Cleveland two days earlier. That difference is a good reminder that Chicago’s defensive performance tells us little about how easy Philadelphia’s shots will be Tuesday.
Philadelphia averages 111.0 points and allows 107.9. I expect the Sixers to test Boston inside early and try to make the help arrive before the pass. If the Celtics can stay home on shooters, Philadelphia has to convert a bigger share of difficult finishes.
Jaylen Brown scored 29 at Chicago and had 20 at Cleveland. Tyrese Maxey added 17 in the Cleveland loss. Their ability to create from different spots is the best argument for the home side, especially if one can get Boston into foul trouble before the fourth quarter.
Celtics vs 76ers Team Comparison
| Category | Boston | Philadelphia |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 8-2 | 9-2 |
| Road / home | 3-2 road | 4-1 home |
| Points scored / allowed per game | 115.0 / 104.3 | 111.0 / 107.9 |
| Sunday result | Won 117-97 at Milwaukee | Won 127-121 at Chicago |
Celtics vs 76ers Head-to-Head
| Prior meeting | Result | Margin / total |
|---|---|---|
| May 2, 2026, playoff Game 7 | Philadelphia 109, Boston 100 | Philadelphia by 9 / 209 points |
Philadelphia won that series, but Tatum missed Game 7. It’s useful rivalry context and a reminder that the lineups for the two games are different.
Celtics vs 76ers Position-by-Position
| Position | Boston | Philadelphia | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| PG | Can pressure the ball and make the first pass | Maxey can turn the corner before help arrives | Philadelphia for scoring |
| SG | Derrick White can contest and relocate off the ball | VJ Edgecombe can punish a late closeout | Boston |
| SF | George can shoot over a contest | Brown can attack an isolated defender | Even |
| PF | Tatum can score or pass against extra help | Needs early help without giving up the corner | Boston |
| C | Must rebound after helping on drives | Can gain ground with deep catches and second chances | Even; watch the glass |
Boston Celtics vs Philadelphia 76ers Picks and Prediction
Spread Pick: Boston -1.5
I’ll lay 1.5 with Boston. Philadelphia has the home floor and enough individual scoring to win a close game, but Boston has allowed 104.3 per game and can make the Sixers work through a second action more often than Chicago did. I trust that defense and Boston’s variety on offense to produce a narrow win.
Total Pick: Under 215.5
I expect fewer easy points than Philadelphia found in Chicago. Both teams have been effective defensively, and Boston can live with a slower game if its first action doesn’t produce a shot. Late fouls are a real threat at this number. My projection is Boston 108, Philadelphia 104.
Final Picks: Boston -1.5 and Under 215.5.
Completed November 9, 2026. Lines and player availability can change before tipoff.