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The Boston Celtics kick off another playoff run against the Joel Embiid-less Philadelphia 76ers, and our 76ers vs. Celtics predictions and NBA picks expect Boston to cruise to victory in Game 1 this afternoon.

Who will win 76ers vs Celtics Game 1?

76ers win probability:14% (+614)
Celtics win probability:86% (-614)

In the last three games the Philadelphia 76ers played in Boston without the big man, they were outscored by 17.3 points per game. The Boston Celtics sport a +8.3 net rating at home this season, and with the team close to full strength, I’ll back them to win this one by 13+.

Our prediction: Celtics to win

Without Embiid, Philly’s offensive rating dipped from 118.5 to 112.9, good for eighth-worst. Philly will have trouble scoring, and I expect Boston to cruise.

Read more in Zak Hanshew's full 76ers vs. Celtics predictions.

More 76ers vs Celtics prediction markets

You're certainly not limited to the main game outcome for 76ers vs. Celtics at Kalshi; you also have options to trade on the spread, total, and more, among other NBA odds markets.

You can buy either side of a market — for example, "Yes" on the Celtics -13.5 spread means the Celtics will cover, while "No" means the 76ers will cover — with each side priced based on the implied probability (which can be converted to American, Decimal, or Fraction odds using the Covers odds converter).

76ers vs Celtics spread and total at prediction markets

Our predictions:Celtics -13.5 — Yes and Over 212.5 points — No

No team hit the Under at a higher percentage than the Celtics at 63.4%. The C’s kept the score low throughout the season thanks to a Bottom-5 pace and Top-5 defense.

Other 76ers vs Celtics prediction markets available

• Jayson Tatum 25+ points (Yes: 54¢)
• Tyrese Maxey 30+ points (Yes: 36¢)
• Derrick White 3+ threes (Yes: 50¢)

What is Kalshi and how does it work?

Kalshi is a federally regulated U.S. exchange where you trade directly on the outcome of real-world future events. Instead of traditional bets, you trade "Event Contracts" which are simple Yes/No questions like "Will the Celtics win tonight?" These events are priced between $0.01 and $0.99, and the prices reflect the market’s estimated probability of that event occurring. For instance, $0.55 equals a 55% chance. If your prediction is correct, the contract pays out exactly $1.00; if not, it settles at $0. Kalshi is essentially a stock market for reality.

How does Kalshi differ from sportsbooks?

In a sportsbook, you bet against the bookmaker, who sets fixed odds and takes a "vig," which is a kind of commission. On Kalshi, you trade against other users. This peer-to-peer model means prices are driven by supply and demand, often resulting in fairer odds. Additionally, because these are financial derivatives, you can exit your position early. If your team takes a 14-point lead, the contract price will rise, allowing you to sell your "Yes" shares for a profit before the final whistle even blows.

Why should I wager on 76ers vs Celtics at Kalshi?

Kalshi offers four unique advantages over traditional sportsbooks:

1. Flexibility: Unlike a "locked-in" bet, you can sell your contract at any time.
   
   
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This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

In Saturday’s Brotherhood Playoff Action, Tyrese Proctor’s Cleveland Cavaliers beat Toronto, featuring RJ Barrett and Brandon Ingram, 126-113. Denver, with Tyus Jones, knocked off the Timberwolves, 116-105. The Hawks, coached by Quin Snyder and featuring Jalen Johnson, took down New York, 113-102. The Los Angeles Lakers, coached by JJ Redick and starring Luke Kennard, grounded the Rockets, 107-98.

Barrett scored 24 points, while Ingram had 17 for the Raptors, while Proctor got a DNP (did not play).

Tyus Jones also got a DNP for Denver.

Johnson got 23 points and 7 rebounds in Atlanta’s loss to the Knicks.

And while the Lakers are without the injured Luka Doncic, Kennard filled in well, hitting for 27 points on 9-13/5-5 from the floor, along with 4 rebounds and three assists.

That was Kennard’s career playoff high, incidentally.

On Sunday, Jayson Tatum and Boston take on Philadelphia, Jared McCain and OKC play Phoenix, with Grayson Allen, Mark Williams, and Khaman Maluach, while Orlando, featuring Paolo Banchero and Wendell Carter, rumble with Trajan Langdon’s Detroit Pistons.

• “We don’t have Luka, but we have Luke”: Lakers fans celebrate Luke Kennard’s Game 1 performance in win over Rockets
• Former Piston shows Detroit what they’re missing as he dominates next to LeBron
• Luke Kennard steps up for Lakers, leads way to Game 1 win vs. Rockets
• JJ Redick Knows What the Playoffs Demand From This Lakers Group
• Raptors’ RJ Barrett: Tallies 24 points in Game 1 loss
• RJ Barrett gets the hoop and harm
• Raptors’ Brandon Ingram takes just nine shots from field in Game 1 loss to Cavs
• How can Rajakovic get more out of Ingram and Barnes in Game 2?
• “Me shooting 9 shots is not going to win basketball games”: Brandon Ingram sends clear message to Raptors coaching staff after Game 1 loss to Cavs
• Lakers continue to win Brandon Ingram trade as forward disappears in playoffs
• Jalen Johnson Scores 23 Points In Loss To Knicks

Go to the DBR Boards to find Blue Healer Auctions || Drop us a line

1984 was the first season the NBA implemented the 16-team playoff system, divided by the Eastern and Western Conferences. Since 1984, there have only been six 8-seeds to upset a 1-seed in the playoffs.

The first team to ever do it was the 1994 Denver Nuggets, who defeated the Seattle SuperSonics 3–2 after coming back from down 2-0. The next team to do it was the 1999 New York Knicks in a lockout-shortened season against the Miami Heat in a 3-2 series win. That Knicks team went on to make the NBA Finals. Then in 2007, the ‘We Believe Warriors’ defeated the Dallas Mavericks and MVP winner Dirk Nowitzki 4-2. A few years later, the Memphis Grizzlies upset the Spurs 4-2 in 2011, and the Philadelphia 76ers defeated the 1-seed Chicago Bulls 4-2, who lost their MVP, Derrick Rose, in game one of that series. And the last team to do it? The 2023 Miami Heat, who defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 4-1 with Giannis Antetokounmpo in and out of the lineup that series. That Heat team also made the NBA Finals.

So what’s been the magic recipe historically?

For the 76ers and Bulls, it was injury luck. The Grizzlies and Warriors played a style of basketball that their counterparts could not match up against. The Grizzlies completely out-physicaled the Spurs, and the Warriors’ small-ball exposed a major flaw in the Mavericks’ unathletic roster. The Knicks and Nuggets got to play a five-game series, and both had exceptional defenses that stifled the Heat and Supersonics.

Historically, 8-seeds are 6-of-84 in opportunities against 1-seeds. So that gives the Suns a 7.1% chance to beat the Thunder, which is right on the money with how oddsmakers view this series. The Suns are right around +1300 to win the series. By no means is this article saying that the Suns will win the series, but rather the historical context of what kind of company they can be in if they do, and just how much of a shock it would be if they did. Plus, if you want to look on the bright side, if the Suns do beat the Thunder, they have a 33% chance at making the Finals!

So what has to go right for Phoenix to earn a series win over Oklahoma City?

Injury luck, obviously. In two weeks from now, if Phoenix has done the impossible and is moving on to the second round, it will more than likely be due to Oklahoma City having poor injury luck. Phoenix also needs the inverse; Grayson Allen and Mark Williams must play in order for them to win. There’s not a whole lot more to break down than that, and this Oklahoma City team is so talented it might take more than one injury for Phoenix to have a chance.

Now lets go to the basketball scenarios, which are way more fun to write about. 3-point shooting and taking care of the ball are the two keys for the Suns to have a shot against the Thunder. The Thunder are elite defensively with an unending roster of elite defenders perfectly suited to guarding Devin Booker, Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and the rest of the Suns roster. The Suns have to limit their turnovers while the Thunder turn it over like hotcakes. The Suns also need to take and make more threes than the Thunder. Winning the possession battle and 3-point battle has been the Suns’ recipe for success all season, and they will need to do it four times in four wins if they want to get a series win over the Thunder. The Suns have to shoot as many threes as possible, hope that they get a high number of makes, and if not, rebound those long misses and take some more triples.

The other ingredient to a historic series upset is generational performances or clutch play-making from the superstar player or players. Jimmy Butler reached extraordinary levels in the Heat’s recent 4-1 series win against the Bucks by making incredible shots in improbable comebacks. Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol dominated the Spurs’ frontline inside in the Grizzlies series win over the Spurs, and Dikembe Mutombo blocked the Supersonics in the final seconds, capped off by his iconic celebration.

The Suns will need elite shotmaking from Booker, Green, and Brooks, plus plenty of defensive heroism from everyone on the roster. Slowing down Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will be the Suns’ top priority, and he is the game’s best closer. It will be a challenge to match him bucket for bucket in the final minutes of games, but it is something the Suns will have to do.

So how does this team get it done?

The Suns have to win in six games or fewer, even if there are injuries. Playing the Thunder in Oklahoma City in a game seven is a daunting task. If the Suns win this series, it is because they won one of the first two games on the road, then hold the Thunder at bay to win in six games. Right now, just winning one game in the series would feel like an accomplishment for the Suns. Even the most optimistic Suns fans cannot consciously believe that this team will win this series. But as long as the 15 players in the locker room and the coaching staff believe they have a chance to win, I will be watching every minute.

If the Suns are going to win this series, here is the path it takes to get there:

Game 1 – Suns win in the final seconds of a close game.

Game 2 – Suns lose, and honestly, the more the Thunder lay it on, the better.

Game 3 – Suns get ridiculously hot from behind the line and win a game no one saw coming

Game 4 – Suns mount a furious fourth-quarter comeback and steal a win in an ugly rock fight game that ends in the high 80’s

Suns fall short, and Gilgeous-Alexander has his 40-point explosion

Game 5 – Suns fall short and Gilgeous-Alexander has his 40-point explosion

Game 6 – Suns win a game where Booker, Green, and Brooks score 80+ points, and a Suns role player hits a game-winning 3-point shot

The science behind this scenario is that every single team since the Warriors in 2007 has won game 1 of the series (except Philadelphia because of the Rose injury), and in the six series combined, the 8-seeds are a combined 14-1 at home. To upset a 1-seed, the path is clear: win the first game, and then win at home.

The Suns do have a few things going their way

They have nothing to lose, and the Thunder have all the pressure on them to win. The Suns are -1 in point differential this season against the Thunder with Booker in the lineup and are 1-1 in those games. The Suns are 2-3 against the Thunder in five games, which is as familiar as you can get with one team in the regular season. Even with all those reasons to be positive, the Suns have 7% chance to win this series, but with every run the Suns make, every loose ball they collect, every offensive rebound they grab, that number can grow and grow until it becomes a series.

Someone has to become the lucky number seven team to upset a 1-seed, so why not this Phoenix Suns team?

Luke-ah?

With star guard Luka Doncic back on the Lakers sideline but still out indefinitely, Luke Kennard did his best impression of the NBA’s leading scorer Saturday, catapulting the Lakers to a 107-98 win over the Houston Rockets to give the Lakers a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven first-round playoff series.

Kennard drained all five of his three-point attempts, including three in the fourth quarter. Threes while curling off screens or taking hand-offs from teammates are routine for the NBA’s leading three-point shooter. But Kennard may have surprised even himself when he drove against Houston’s Jabari Smith, U-turned, scampered back outside the three-point line and drained a three from the wing.

The Crypto.com Arena crowd that was buzzing from the opening tip to the final horn erupted. Kennard screamed.

LeBron and Luke hit BACK-TO-BACK threes from deep 🔥 pic.twitter.com/GQ0yiMzu7U

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 19, 2026

"My word is speechless, to be honest," center Deandre Ayton said of Kennard's performance. "Seeing him five-for-five in a playoff game as a Laker. Yeah, it hits different."

The Lakers sent Gabe Vincent and a 2032 second-round draft pick to Atlanta for Kennard in February. The midseason trade felt relatively marginal compared to league-wide blockbusters that shuffled James Harden, Darius Garland and Anthony Davis.

Kennard has now authored several headlining performances in the purple and gold. He drained a game-winning three-pointer against Orlando. He notched the first triple-double of his career.

Saturday’s season high eclipsed them all.

“To do it especially at a place like this, playing for the Lakers on the biggest stage in basketball, it means a lot to me," Kennard said, "and what I've done and just credit to the work I've put in and how I prepared leading up to this."

Since Doncic (hamstring) and Austin Reaves (oblique) were injured on April 2, Kennard has had to adjust his role to include more ball handling. He typified the Lakers’ adaptability with 32 assists in the last five games of the regular season after averaging 1.7 assists per game since joining the team. But he lamented that he wasn’t shooting to his standard.

Compared to his league-best 47.8%, his 30.8% shooting from three during the past five games felt like a slump.

Each shot, whether a make or miss, still helped Kennard develop a rhythm entering the playoffs, he said. Now if he sees even a sliver of daylight, he’ll be ready to shoot. It’s exactly what the Lakers want to see.

Read more:'He does so many more things.' How Luke Kennard became the Lakers' emergency point guard

“I just liked that he was aggressive shooting threes,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said. “I mean, he played a fantastic basketball game.”

Kennard, who also had three assists and four rebounds, was nine for 13 from the field as the Lakers, who shot 60.6% as a team, shot 60% or better in a playoff game for the first time since the first round of the 2009 playoffs. Led by Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol, the Lakers won their first of back-to-back titles that year.

All five of the Lakers starters scored in double figures. LeBron James had 19 points and 13 assists, and Ayton had 19 points and 11 rebounds while helping keep two-time All-Star Alperen Sengun to 19 points on inefficient six-for-19 shooting. The Rockets, who were without Kevin Durant because of a minor knee injury, shot 37.6% from the floor.

“Everybody played a big role tonight and I feel that just speaks to what we've been the last few weeks with guys out,” Kennard said. “It's going to take everybody. We know that. We got to continue to elevate each other and push each other and continue to be a team.”

Read more:Shorthanded Lakers knock off Durant-less Rockets in playoff opener

Doncic reunited with the team Saturday after he spent the past two weeks in Europe getting specialized treatment on his Grade 2 left hamstring strain. Dressed in a crisp white button up shirt and khaki pants, Doncic sat next to Reaves on the bench. They rose to their feet every time Kennard set up for a three. They handed out high fives at every time out.

The injuries to Doncic and Reaves turned the Lakers into the perceived sitting duck of the competitive Western Conference playoffs. Critics felt the team couldn’t survive one playoff round with the 41-year-old James as its sole offensive catalyst.

A welcoming cheer from Lakers fans during starting lineups serves as a reminder that James still has backup.

“Luuuuuke!”

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

After a roller coaster regular season, the Philadelphia 76ers handled business in the Play-In Tournament against Orlando, earning the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference and a first-round matchup against the rival Boston Celtics. In Game 1 this afternoon in Boston, the Celtics are 13-point favorites to take a 1-0 lead in the series, and are huge minus-900 favorites to advance to the second round. If those lopsided odds have you down as a Sixers fan, can I remind you of another big upset that started in Boston? It was a little thing called the American Revolution.

Unfortunately, the Sixers are without their George Washington in this clash between original colonial powers. Philadelphia only has one player listed on the injury report, but it’s a big one, with Joel Embiid out due to his post appendectomy surgery recovery. (Yes, Johni Broome is available to save the day.) There’s no realistic belief that Joel will be back soon to impact the series, but maybe Boston also has some injuries the Sixers could take advantage of today?

I guess not. Jayson Tatum has been back over a month now following Achilles surgery and appears to be fully ramped up. The All-NBA talent looking like himself is a big reason why the Celtics are now significant favorites to advance out of the East to the NBA Finals. Of course, that’s still a couple months away and the Sixers will hope to be more than a minor speed bump along the Celtics’ path.

The Sixers’ chances of making this a competitive series will start with their backcourt. We know Tyrese Maxey can shine on the biggest stage after seeing him average nearly 30 points per game in the series against New York two years ago. The year prior in the seven-game series loss to Boston was more of a mixed bag. Maxey scored 30 points in the Game 5 win to go up 3-2, but also had three games scoring 14 points or less. Of course, Tyrese has improved a ton over the past three seasons and his dropping 40 points in the regular season opener against Boston is more indicative of what we’re likely to see from him.

Philadelphia’s biggest X factor is rookie VJ Edgecombe, who didn’t look the least bit phased by the moment during the Play-In, recording 19 points and 11 rebounds and puffing his chest out at Jalen Suggs. Edgecombe found success against Boston this season, notably scoring 14 points in his first ever NBA quarter while facing the Celtics, a league record. His ability to create splash plays defensively and get out in transition will be vital for a Sixers’ offense that projects to struggle in the half court against Boston.

Aside from the whole having a deeper roster thing, the big advantage for Boston will be on the glass. The Sixers were a terrible defensive rebounding team this season and the Celtics were one of the better squads at creating second-chance opportunities. Andre Drummond played well against Orlando and had one or two solid performances this year against Boston. If he could channel 2020 Andre (only now with three-point shooting!), that would go a long way towards helping the Sixers stay within arms-length of Boston to pull off an upset.

If we’re going to do some straw grasping, it has been nine days since Boston’s regulars saw the court at all. Maybe there’s a bit of an adjustment period back to the intensity of live game action. The early afternoon start time could also play a factor. NBA players are largely very routine-oriented and have shifted their schedules to peak at nighttime. Today they’re playing at 1:00 pm Eastern when some of them might normally be taking naps. Obviously, it wouldn’t favor the Sixers more than the Celtics, but maybe things get wonky and that can only benefit the underdog.

The club who the Sixers share a building with was able to pull off a Game 1 win on the road yesterday. Time for the Sixers to get gritty and see if they can’t make Boston sweat here to start this first-round series.

Game Details

When: Sunday, April 19, 1:00 PM ET
Where: TD Garden, Boston, MA
Watch: ABC
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic
Follow: @LibertyBallers