76ers vs. Celtics Prediction, Odds and Best NBA Prop Bets for Thursday, March 6

The Boston Celtics are fresh off of a win on Wednesday over the Portland Trail Blazers, and they’ll play the second night of a back-to-back against a banged-up Philadelphia 76ers squad on Thursday.

Boston sat Jayson Tatum, Jrue Holiday, and Kristaps Porzingis on the front end of a back-to-back, but it still came away with a 10-point win. Now, the C’s are favored even more on Thursday, with Philly already ruling out Tyrese Maxey. Joel Embiid (out for the season) also won’t play, and Paul George is listed as questionable.

The C's have ruled out Jaylen Brown, Holiday, Porzingis and Al Horford for this game while Tatum is listed as questionable.

The 76ers appear to be tanking in hopes of keeping their top-six protected first-round pick, but can they keep things closer than oddsmakers think on Thursday? Quentin Grimes has become a pleasant surprise for Philly since the trade deadline, and he could be in line for a major workload tonight with Maxey out.

Here’s a complete breakdown of the odds, players to watch in the prop market and my prediction for Thursday’s contest between these division rivals.

76ers vs. Celtics Odds, Spread and Total

Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook.

Spread

76ers +12 (-108)
Celtics -12 (-112)

Moneyline

76ers: +550
Celtics: -800

Total

218 (Over -110/Under -110)

76ers vs. Celtics How to Watch

Date: Thursday, March 6
Time: 7:30 p.m. EST
Venue: TD Garden
How to Watch (TV): TNT
76ers record: 21-40
Celtics record: 44-18

76ers vs. Celtics Injury Reports

76ers Injury Report

Paul George – questionable
Tyrese Maxey – out
Joel Embiid – out
Kyle Lowry – out
Eric Gordon – out
Jalen Hood-Schifino – out
Justin Edwards – questionable
Jared McCain – out

Celtics Injury Report

Jayson Tatum – questionable
Jaylen Brown – out
Al Horford – out
Sam Hauser – questionable
Jrue Holiday – out
Kristaps Porzingis – out

76ers vs. Celtics Best NBA Prop Bets

UPDATE: Paul George has been RULED OUT on Thursday against Boston.

76ers' Paul George is out tonight against the Celtics with groin soreness, sources tell ESPN. Sixers are without George and Tyrese Maxey (back) tonight along with season-ending absences of Joel Embiid, Jared McCain and Eric Gordon.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 6, 2025

Philadelphia 76ers Best NBA Prop Bet

Paul George OVER 4.5 Rebounds (-145)

While 76ers star Paul George has struggled mightily this season, I do think he’s worth a shot in his rebounds prop – if he plays – on Thursday.

This season, PG is averaging 5.3 rebounds per game, and he’s cleared 4.5 rebounds in six of his last nine games. Over his last three games, George has seven, eight, and eight boards. He’s undervalued at this number tonight.

76ers vs. Celtics Prediction and Pick

Boston sat three starters and still won by double digits against the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night. Now, it gets a favorable matchup against a banged-up Philly team that won’t have Tyrese Maxey in action on Thursday.

Boston should get Jayson Tatum back, especially since it has already ruled out Porzingis, Brown, Horford and Holiday.

The C’s have turned in some disappointing showings against Philly this season, including a loss on Christmas Day, but the 76ers are tanking at this point in the season with Joel Embiid on the shelf.

Philly is 29th in the NBA in net rating over its last 10 games (-9.9), while Boston is fourth over that same stretch.

The C’s should roll tonight, even with several players sitting.

Pick: Celtics -12 (-112 at DraftKings)

Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

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Find Peter Dewey's NBA betting record here (futures included). You can also follow my daily plays on BetStamp here.

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