Celtics vs. 76ers Odds, Prediction, Best Bets, and a +650 Same Game Parlay for the NBA Season Opener
At long last, the 2022-23 NBA season is finally here. We’ve got a doozy to tip things off as the reigning Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics will play host to the rival Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday night.
You know we have to have some action on the first game of the new NBA season, so let’s break it down and find some best bets for this star-studded matchup. I’ll even throw in a +650 Same Game Parlay for the people. Let’s start this season off with a bang, shall we?
Celtics vs. 76ers odds, spread, and prediction
Spread: Celtics -3
Total: 216
Moneyline: Celtics -154, 76ers +130
The Celtics were two wins short of winning the NBA title last season, but a hectic offseason has created a cloud of murkiness around this team heading into 2022-23. Head coach Ime Udoka was recently suspended for the entire season for engaging in an improper relationship with a colleague, and assistant coach Joe Mazzulla will be taking over his position.
Boston will also be without center Robert Williams III for the first few months of the season due to a knee injury. Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Marcus Smart are still running the show, and Malcolm Brogdon should give this team a boost on both ends of the floor, but it won’t be easy to conquer this adversity and make a run back to the NBA Finals.
As for the 76ers, they upgraded the roster this offseason by adding De’Anthony Melton, P.J. Tucker, Danuel House, and Montrezl Harrell. Joel Embiid will be gunning for the MVP award after finishing second in voting to Nikola Jokic in back-to-back years, and James Harden will be hoping for a bounce-back campaign after a full and healthy offseason.
I won’t be betting the side or total because it’s impossible to predict how these teams will look with new players and coaches in place, but I’ll give the edge to a healthier and sturdier Sixers squad.
Prediction: Sixers 107, Celtics 104
Celtics vs. 76ers best bets: Target Tyrese Maxey and James Harden props
Tyrese Maxey over 18.5 points (-106)
I’m expecting a monster season out of third-year guard Tyrese Maxey, and I think that starts in Game 1. Maxey led the Sixers in scoring this preseason at 17.3 points per game while shooting 52.2% from the field and 55.6% from three. He even outscored Embiid despite playing fewer minutes per game than the reigning MVP runner-up.
Maxey is poised to take over as Philly’s second-leading scorer this season, and Tuesday night’s opener is the first step.
James Harden over 8.5 assists (-115)
If I’m expecting Maxey to take over as the second-leading scorer for the Sixers, it would stand to reason that I see Harden accepting a more unselfish role on the offensive end. Harden averaged 10.5 assists per game with the Sixers last season, and I wouldn’t be surprised if that number goes up in 2022-23. This prop is 9.5 and 10.5 at other books, so give me the 8.5 at FanDuel.
+650 Same Game Parlay for 2022-23 NBA season opener
- 76ers +10.5
- Under 226.5
- James Harden 8+ assists
- Jayson Tatum 20+ points
- Tyrese Maxey 20+ points
This Same Game Parlay is +650 on FanDuel right now. Let’s kick off the NBA season with a bang.
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