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76ers vs. Celtics prediction, odds, spread, time: 2026 NBA playoff picks for Sunday

Sandy Verma | April 20, 2026 10:24 AM CST

The Boston Celtics look to win their second championship in three years as they open up their 2026 NBA playoff run against the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 1 of their first-round series on Sunday. Philadelphia is coming off a 109-97 play-in game win over Orlando on Wednesday, while Boston defeated the Magic 113-108 on Sunday. The Sixers (45-37), the seventh seed in the East, are 22-19 on the road this season. The Celtics (56-26), the second seed, are 30-11 on their home court. Philadelphia will be without Joel Embiid (appendectomy).

Tipoff from TD Garden in Boston is set for 1 p.m. ET. Boston is a 12.5-point favorite in the latest 76ers vs. Celtics odds via FanDuel Sportsbook, while the over/under for total points scored is 214.5, down a point from the opening line. Before making any 76ers vs. Celtics picks, check out the 76ers vs. Celtics predictions from the SportsLine Projection Model.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in betting profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past eight-plus seasons. The model entered the 2026 NBA playoffs on a sizzling 23-9 roll (72%) on top-rated NBA spread picks this season. Anyone following its NBA betting advice at sportsbooks and on betting apps could have seen huge returns.

Now, the model has simulated 76ers vs. Celtics 10,000 times and just revealed its coveted NBA picks and betting predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model’s picks. Here are several NBA odds and NBA betting lines for Celtics vs. Sixers:

76ers vs. Celtics spread:	Celtics -12.5 at FanDuel
76ers vs. Celtics over/under:	214.5 points
76ers vs. Celtics money line:	Celtics -813, 76ers +553
76ers vs. Celtics picks:	See picks at SportsLine
76ers vs. Celtics streaming:	Fubo (Try for free)

Top 76ers vs. Celtics predictions

After 10,000 simulations of 76ers vs. Celtics, SportsLine’s model is going Over on the total (214.5). Embiid’s absence should open the lane for the Celtics, a team that finished the regular season fourth in offensive rating. The Sixers, meanwhile, have enough offensive capability with Tyrese Maxey, Paul George and VJ Edgecombe all available.

The SportsLine model is projecting the 76ers to have four players scoring in double figures, led by Maxey’s 25.7 points. Jaylen Brown is projected to lead the Celtics with 28.3 points scored, but only three Boston players will score 15 or more points. The teams are projected to combine for 215 total points, making it a great selection for anybody targeting NBA parlay betting.