The Boston Celtics host the Philadelphia 76ers in an Eastern Conference clash on Monday, March 2, with the game tipping off at 12:00 AEDT.
It's a rivalry that has continued to grow in intensity over the years, with the two teams having the most meetings in the NBA playoffs, playing each other in 22 series (and the 1954 Eastern Division Round Robin); the Celtics have won 15 of them.
They'll meet in the regular season as it edges closer to its conclusion, with both teams looking to cement their places in the postseason this time around.
Quick Picks
- Our pick: Celtics to win
- Value bet: Celtics in the handicap
- Long shot: Total points - Over
Betting Preview
Over the last five years, the Celtics hold a 12-8 record over the 76ers, highlighting the slight edge that they appear to have in this fixture. When it comes to the last 10 meetings, Boston are 7-3, further emphasising the control they seem to have when both are on the court.
Interestingly, Philly have won two of the three contests to have been held this year so far. Results that have occurred include:
- Nov 2025: 76ers 102-100 Celtics
- Oct 2025: 76ers 108-109 Celtics
- Oct 2025: Celtics 116-117 76ers
As can be seen, results have been close, with two being determined by one point and the other by two.
When looking at recent form, the Celtics have been almost unstoppable. They've had a recent stretch of 10 games that saw them go 9-1. They are also 24-13 against fellow Eastern Conference teams, while being 18-9 at the TD Garden.
On the other hand, the 76ers have been inconsistent as they've had a recent run of 5-5. They are 20-19 in conference play, but they've been exceptional on the road. They boast a record of 17-11.
Betting Markets to Watch
The handicap spread immediately appears to be the market that offers value, given the close scores that have been experienced between these two sides. If you're new to basketball wagering, our guide on how to bet on the NBA covers the key markets.
While Boston have been impressive at home, we've seen them lose to Philadelphia at the TD Garden once already. Still, we think the Celtics will have enough about them to cover the spread and get the win, based on their recent 9-1 record.
With that said, we think there'll be value in the Big Win Little Win market, with Boston winning by 1-10 points. As noted, the last three games have been decided by two points or fewer. Frequently, games between these two finish with a points margin that is lower than 10, too.
Our Prediction
Check the latest NBA betting odds at Sportsbet.
We think it's likely Boston obtains the win in this game, given the strong regular-season record that they have been showing.
In the long shot, we think the over total points line could be worth value, as neither team is having to deal with significant injuries that they haven't already been dealing with this season. For more game-by-game analysis, check out our NBA tips and predictions.