PHILADELPHIA 76ERS VS. BOSTON CELTICS EXPERT PICK AND PREDICTIONS — February 20, 2025

PHILADELPHIA 76ERS VS. BOSTON CELTICS EXPERT PICK AND PREDICTIONS — February 20, 2025 — Greetings, basketball fans. Welcome back to our NBA coverage here at Godzilla Wins. One of the games on tap from Thursday’s slate features the Philadelphia 76ers (20-34 SU, 20-34 ATS) hosting the Boston Celtics (39-16 SU, 24-31 ATS).

Here is a look at which squad has the edge going into this matchup and why.

Tipoff

When: Thursday, February 20, 2025 @ 7:00 PM ET

Where: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA

TV: TNT, truTV, and MAX

Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics Odds

Odds courtesy of DraftKings

Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics — Preview & Betting Trends

Sixers Look To Snap Five-Game Skid

After notching a 118-116 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Feb. 4, the Sixers enter this tilt amid a five-game losing skid. This includes a 100-96 defeat at the hands of the Brooklyn Nets heading into the All-Star break.

Kelly Oubre Jr. tied for team-high scoring honors with 30 points on 10-for-16 shooting from the field and 2-for-3 from beyond the arc.

Quentin Grimes also finished with 30 points, nine rebounds, and four assists, while Justin Edwards contributed 13 points and five boards off the bench. Philadelphia overcame an early 11-point deficit to take a 58-57 lead early in the third period.

However, Brooklyn outscored Philly 19-8 over the final 7:34 of the period and never trailed after that.

Celtics Aiming For Fourth Consecutive Win

On the other hand, following a 127-123 loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Feb. 6,  the Celtics have posted wins in each of their previous three outings, including a 116-103 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Feb. 12.

Boston placed four starters in double figures, headlined by a spectacular performance from Jayson Tatum. His final stat line included 32 points, 14 rebounds, and seven assists.

Jaylen Brown scored 29 points and grabbed six rebounds. Derrick White added 19 points and nine rebounds, and Sam Hauser chipped in with 12 points and seven rebounds. The Cs jumped out to an early 18-point lead after the first 12 minutes of action.

However, the Spurs trimmed the deficit to 93-85 early in the final frame before Boston used a 23-18 burst the rest of the way to clinch a 13-point victory. Now that we have set the stage for this pivotal Eastern Conference showdown, let’s examine the betting trends for both teams.

Sixers vs. Celtics Spread Analysis

Having dropped five straight, it’s no surprise that the Sixers enter this matchup as an eight-point underdog (per OddsShark.com). Here is a look at how both teams have fared against the spread this season.

• The Sixers have not covered the spread in their last six games.
• Philadelphia is 0-5 ATS in its previous five February contests.
• Meanwhile, the Celtics are 4-1 ATS in their past five outings.
• Boston has covered the spread eight times in its last 10 February matchups.

Prediction: Boston Celtics (-8)

Sixers vs. Celtics Over/Under Prediction

The projected scoring total for this matchup is 224.5 points (via OddsShark.com). Let’s see why going with the “over” is the intelligent choice.

• The total has gone OVER four times in the Sixers’ last five games against Boston.
• The OVER total is 8-4 in the previous 12 matchups between these teams at Wells Fargo Center.
• The total has gone OVER five times in the Celtics’ past seven outings against Atlantic Division opponents.
• These two teams average 226.3 points per game, 1.8 points higher than the over/under total for this matchup.

Prediction: OVER 224.5 points

Sixers vs. Celtics Player Prop Bet

Following his 30-point effort against Brooklyn, Kelly Oubre is the key player to watch for the home team. He currently has -115 odds of scoring more than 12.5 points and -115 odds of finishing with less than 12.5 points (via Bet365.com).

Here is a look at how his numbers stack up against the projected points total for this matchup.

• During the season, Oubre is averaging 14.5 points per game.
• In 25 career matchups against the Celtics, he has averaged 10.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, and one steal per outing.
• Oubre has suited up in 27 home games this season. In those contests, he averages 15.2 points per outing.
• Across his last five outings, Oubre has put up 16.2 points per game, exceeding the points total for this matchup three times during that stretch.

Prediction: Kelly Oubre Jr. OVER 12.5 points