Pick details
| MATCHUP | Philadelphia 76ers | Boston Celtics |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 45-37 | 56-26 |
| Spread | +12.5 -110 | -12.5 -110 |
| Moneyline | +550 | -800 |
| Total | Over 212.5 (-115) | Under 212.5 (-105) |
| Where | TD Garden, Boston, MA | |
| When | Sunday, April 19, 2026 | |
| Time | 01:00 PM EDT | |
| TV | ABC | |
The Philadelphia 76ers and the Boston Celtics duke it out in Game 1 at the TD Garden on Sunday afternoon.
Philadelphia 76ers Betting Preview
The Philadelphia 76ers are entering the playoffs with a bit of momentum as they won eight of their last 13 games to finish with a 45-37 record, good enough for the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference. Tyrese Maxey has easily been their best and most consistent player as he averaged 28.3 points and 6.6 assists per game, Joel Embiid played just 38 games and averaged 26.9 points with 7.7 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game, Paul George turned it up late in the season to average 17.3 points and 5.3 assists during his 37 games while VJ Edgecombe averaged 16.0 points and 4.2 assists per game. As a team, the 76ers scored 115.9 points per game while shooting 46.2 percent from the field and 34.9 percent from the 3-point line.
Boston Celtics Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Boston Celtics have been one of the hottest teams in the league as they won 15 of their last 18 games of the regular season to finish with an impressive 56-26 overall record to secure the second seed in the Eastern Conference. Jaylen Brown has been a rock for the Celtics as he averaged 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists while playing 71 games, Jayson Tatum played just 16 games but averaged 21.8 points, 10.0 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game, Payton Pritchard averaged 17.0 points in a key role off the bench while Derrick White averaged 16.5 points and 5.4 assists per game. As a team, the Celtics scored 114.9 points per game while shooting 46.7 percent from the field and 36.7 percent from the 3-point line. This was supposed to be a rebuilding season for the Celtics as they knew they would be without Jayson Tatum for most, if not all of the season, but now they look like serious contenders once again.
Philadelphia v Boston Free Prediction
The 76ers are still missing Johni Broome and Joel Embiid, while the Celtics expect to have a full squad available for this one despite having a bunch of players currently listed as game time decisions. The 76ers are capable of making this a contest if Maxey and George can play lights out, but the Celtics are deservedly heavy favorites in this matchup. These teams met four times in the regular season and it’s been relatively close with three of those games decided by two points or less, but with the 76ers shorthanded, I don’t think they will have enough to hang with the Celtics who I am sure will come out swinging. I think the Celtics hit the ground running and get off to a quick start before cruising to a comfortable win to draw first blood in this series.
