Tipoff is scheduled for 8:00 PM ET
Venue: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
Broadcast: NBC / Peacock (national); NBCS-PH (76ers local); NBC Sports Boston (Celtics local)
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic (76ers) / 98.5 The Sports Hub (Celtics)
Team Context
The visiting 76ers are 33-26, holding 6th in the Eastern Conference with a solid .559 winning percentage. They are in the thick of the playoff race, controlling their seeding destiny in a competitive East. Philadelphia is 17-11 on the road and has momentum entering this matchup.
The host Celtics sit at 39-20 (.661), 2nd in the Eastern Conference and chasing the top seed. Boston boasts one of the league’s best home records and elite efficiency on both ends, making TD Garden a tough venue for any opponent.
Recent Team Forms
76ers (5-5 in last 10; W3): Philadelphia is heating up with a three-game win streak, including a strong home victory over Miami (124-117 on Feb. 26) where Tyrese Maxey set a franchise record for threes in a game and led with 28 points/11 assists. They average ~116 PPG offensively while allowing ~115-116, showing balanced play. Road form has been solid lately, with key wins over Western teams earlier in February.
Celtics (8-2 in last 10): Boston is in excellent form, winning 8 of their last 10 with strong defense (top-5 in points allowed) and efficient scoring (~115 PPG). They have been dominant at home and are motivated to protect their seeding advantage. Recent performances highlight balanced scoring and low turnovers.
Injury Report
Philadelphia 76ers:
- C Johni Broome — OUT (right knee meniscus tear; expected return early April).
- F Paul George — OUT (suspension; expected return late March).
- C Joel Embiid — QUESTIONABLE (ribs; left recent game, status uncertain for this matchup).
- Other notes: MarJon Beauchamp (illness) — GTD.
Tyrese Maxey, Kelly Oubre Jr., and core rotation expected available.
Boston Celtics:
- SF Jayson Tatum — Day-to-Day / QUESTIONABLE (torn right Achilles tendon; major concern, status critical).
- Other depth pieces (e.g., Johni Broome listed in some reports but likely PHI error; focus on Tatum).
Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, etc., expected to play if Tatum’s status impacts minutes.
Series History
The 76ers lead the 2025-26 season series 2-1:
- Oct. 22, 2025 (Boston): 76ers 117-116 Celtics (thrilling road win).
- Additional meetings: PHI won two of three, showing competitiveness.
Historically, Boston has dominated long-term, but recent games have been close (e.g., single-digit margins). This season’s contests averaged high-scoring outputs with strong individual performances.
Projected Lineups & Player Matchups
Philadelphia 76ers (Coach: Nick Nurse)
Starters
PG Tyrese Maxey
SG Kelly Oubre Jr. / depth
SF (rotation shifts without George)
PF Tobias Harris / Guerschon Yabusele
C Joel Embiid (Q) / Andre Drummond Key Bench: Kyle Lowry, Jared McCain (if healthy), etc. Key Matchups:
- Maxey vs. White/Holiday — Maxey’s scoring burst (29+ PPG potential) and three-point shooting vs. Boston’s elite perimeter defense.
- Embiid (if active) vs. Porzingis — Rim protection and scoring duel; Embiid’s presence would stretch Boston’s interior.
- Wings/transition — 76ers speed to exploit any Celtics fatigue.
Boston Celtics (Coach: Joe Mazzulla)
Starters (Tatum if active)
PG Jrue Holiday
SG Derrick White
SF Jaylen Brown
PF Jayson Tatum (Q)
C Kristaps Porzingis Key Bench: Payton Pritchard, Sam Hauser, etc. Key Matchups:
- Brown / Tatum (if active) vs. 76ers wings — Boston’s athleticism and shooting to counter Philadelphia’s perimeter game.
- Porzingis vs. Embiid/Drummond — Stretch-5 spacing vs. physical interior defense.
- Holiday/White pressure — Elite defense to limit Maxey’s drives and threes.
Betting Trends
- Celtics strong at home (high win % as favorites).
- 76ers 5-2 ATS in last 7 vs. Boston but 3-7 SU in last 10 overall vs. them.
- OVER has trended in recent head-to-heads.
- Boston 4-1 ATS in recent games; PHI riding win streak but vulnerable on road vs. top teams.
- Tatum status heavily impacts line movement.
Game Odds
Philadelphia Sixers 221.5
Boston Celtics – 8.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Saturday, February 28, 2026
