Philadelphia 76ers vs Boston Celtics Prediction 4/19/2026 Today’s NBA Picks

The Philadelphia 76ers and the Boston Celtics duke it out in Game 1 at the TD Garden on Sunday afternoon. Here’s a Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics Prediction. This article will include a Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics Pick.

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.

Why the Boston Celtics will win

• The Celtics have won each of their last eight home games against Eastern Conference opponents after winning as underdogs.
• The 76ers have lost each of their last six day games against Eastern Conference opponents that held a winning record.
• The Celtics have covered the spread in each of their last six games at TD Garden.
• The 76ers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last six day games against Eastern Conference opponents.

Why the Philadelphia 76ers will win

• The underdogs have won each of the 76ers’ last three Eastern Conference First Round games.
• The Celtics have lost three of their last four playoff games as favorites against Atlantic Division opponents following a win.
• The Celtics have failed to cover the spread in five of their last six playoff games following a win.
• The road team has covered the spread in four of the 76ers’ last five playoff games.

Total Points Facts

• Each of the Celtics’ last seven home games against Eastern Conference opponents has gone UNDER the total points line.
• Each of the 76ers’ last six day games against Atlantic Division opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.

Philadelphia 76ers Player Facts

• Kelly Oubre Jr. has recorded 3+ steals in three consecutive appearances—the equal-longest active streak of any player in the league.
• Adem Bona ranks 9th amongst qualified players for blocks per 36 minutes (2.4) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Celtics rank 1st in the league for turnovers per game this season (12.4).
• The Celtics rank 30th in the league for free throw attempts per game this season (18.7).
• The 76ers rank 29th in the league for Q3 win percentage this season (36.6%).
• The 76ers rank 3rd in the league for opponent steals per game this season (7.3).

Philadelphia 76ers vs Boston Celtics 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.

Peter Tran's Pick: Boston -12.5