With the Milwaukee Bucks out of the way, the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers are the two leading contenders to win the Eastern Conference, according to the online sportsbooks. They face off in the second round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs, with the winner having a clear path to a berth in the NBA Finals. 

Jayson Tatum and the Celtics are the No. 2 seed, beating Joel Embiid and the 76ers in three of the four regular season matchups. The one Philly win was due to Embiid pouring in 52 points in a 103-101 nail-biter. 

Ahead of Game 1, Bookies.com breaks down the series and makes our NBA picks to back on sports betting apps.

76ers vs. Celtics Game 1 Odds

76ers vs. Celtics Betting Tips

Embiid All Day: The Celtics had the fourth-ranked defense in the NBA, but they had no answer for Joel Embiid. The center averaged 36.8 ppg – 3.7 points more than his season-leading regular season average – and had 11.8 rpg (1.6 above average) in four games against Boston. 

Different Stars/Different Trends: Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown both deliver for the Celtics, but each found success in different ways vs. the Sixers in the regular season. Tatum’s scoring was dramatically down but his rebounding and assists numbers rose, while Brown’s trends were the opposite. Tatum (30.1 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 4.6 apg) averaged just 21 ppg, but 9.8 rebounds and 6.3 assists vs. Philly. Brown (26.6, 6.9, 3.5 across regular season) averaged 30.5 ppg but only 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists. 

Boston’s History: Boston hasn’t lost to Philadelphia in a playoff series since 1982. The 76ers haven’t gotten out of the second round of the playoffs in 23 years. Embiid and James Harden have a combined two second-round wins in their storied careers. Boston, which has advanced to the conference finals in four of the last six seasons, has history on its side. 

76ers vs. Celtics Picks

Boston is a fairly hefty -310 to win the series and advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. Philadelphia is posted at +250. Boston took three of four in the regular season and it took a Herculean effort from Embiid not to make it a complete sweep. 

We may not get a sweep here, but the door is open for the Celtics to get through this series and back to the NBA Finals. 

The matchups are all there, everywhere but center, and Boston, which ranked No. 4 in the NBA in both scoring and points allowed, can validate its special season by moving on. Take Boston to win. Those feeling frisky can look at Celtics In 5 at +285 on NBA betting sites. 

76ers vs. Celtics Schedule

• Game 1: Philadelphia at Boston, Mon., May 1, 7:30 p.m. ET (TNT)
• Game 2: Philadelphia at Boston, Wed., May 3, 8 p.m. ET (TNT)
• Game 3: Boston at Philadelphia, Fri., May 5, 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
• Game 4: Boston at Philadelphia, Sun., May 7, 3:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
• *Game 5: Philadelphia at Boston, Tues., May 9, TBD (TNT)
• *Game 6: Boston at Philadelphia, Thur., May 11, TBD (ESPN)
• *Game 7: Philadelphia at Boston, Sun., May 14, TBD (TBD)

* if necessary