Celtics vs. 76ers 2026 NBA Playoffs Game 3 prediction, odds, pick

We are back for another NBA Playoff betting prediction and pick, and it’s time for Game 3 as the Boston Celtics visit the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday, as both teams look to gain a 2-1 advantage in this first-round matchup and keep their momentum going into Game 4. Check our NBA odds series for the Celtics-76ers prediction and pick.

The Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers have split the first two games of their first-round series, setting the stage for a pivotal Game 3 in front of a raucous home crowd at the Wells Fargo Center. With the series knotted at 1-1, the pressure shifts dramatically as both teams know a win here could be the turning point that defines who controls this matchup.

The Celtics have been the class of the East all season, but the 76ers have proven they won’t go down without a fight after stealing home-court advantage with a gutsy Game 2 performance. Now heading back to Philadelphia, the Sixers smell blood in the water and will look to ride the crowd noise and momentum into a series lead, while Boston looks to quickly reclaim control before this thing gets away from them.

NBA odds courtesy of DraftKings

Celtics vs. Knicks Odds

Boston Celtics: -7.5 (-108)

Philadelphia 76ers: +7.5 (-112)

Over: 215.5 (-110)

Under: 215.5 (-110)

Celtics vs. 76ers Key Injuries 

Boston: None

Philadelphia: Joel Embiid (abdomen – day to day)

Celtics vs. 76ers Betting Trends

• The Philadelphia 76ers are 24-18 at home this season. The Boston Celtics are 26-15 on the road.
• The 76ers have gone 13-26 as underdogs. The Celtics are 45-15 as the betting favorite.
• The 76ers are 45-40 ATS overall, 20-22 ATS at home. The Celtics are 50-34 ATS overall, 26-15 ATS on the road.
• The 76ers are 4-6 straight up, 4-5-1 ATS in their last 10 games against the Celtics.
• The 76ers are 5-5 ATS over their last 10 games.
• The Celtics are 7-3 straight up and 7-3 ATS over their last 10 games.
• The total has gone UNDER in three of the 76ers’ last four home games.
• The Celtics are 2-2 ATS in their last 4 away games.

Keys to Celtics vs. 76ers Matchup

The Boston Celtics must fix their three-point shooting in a hurry. After connecting on just 26% from beyond the arc in Game 2 — a staggering collapse from a team that ranks third in the league in three-pointers made per game, Boston’s offense stalled when it needed it most. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are capable of carrying the load, but when role players like Derrick White and Sam Hauser go cold from deep, the Celtics become far too one-dimensional and easier to defend.

On the other side, Philadelphia’s backcourt duo of Tyrese Maxey and rookie VJ Edgecombe is the engine driving this Sixers resurgence. Edgecombe’s 30-point, 10-rebound performance in Game 2 made him just the second player in NBA history, alongside Magic Johnson, to post those numbers in a playoff game before turning 21. How Boston chooses to defend that backcourt, especially Maxey in pick-and-roll situations, will be the chess match to watch in Game 3.

Joel Embiid remains out, which keeps the ceiling slightly lower for Philadelphia, but it also means the Sixers are battle-tested and built for the underdog role heading into a hostile road environment.

Celtics vs. 76ers Prediction and Pick

Boston heads into Philadelphia on Friday night carrying the weight of a stunner in Game 2, where the Sixers dismantled them 111-97 on the road and sent a loud message that this series is far from over. Now the Celtics must do what great teams do — respond on the road in a hostile environment while the Wells Fargo Center crowd smells blood.

The 7.5-point spread is a tall ask for Boston in an away playoff game, but history is on their side. The Celtics own a 23-11 postseason road record over the last five years and finished the regular season 26-15 away from TD Garden. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have been in pressure situations before and know how to flip the switch when the moment demands it.

Philadelphia will lean on Tyrese Maxey’s momentum and the explosive VJ Edgecombe to keep the energy high, but without Joel Embiid at full strength, the Sixers’ frontcourt simply can’t sustain a 48-minute battle against Boston’s depth.

Expect the Celtics to reclaim control of this series.

Final Celtics-76ers Prediction & Pick: Boston Celtics -7.5 (-108), OVER 215.5 (-110)

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