After the Boston Bruins’ surprise ouster Sunday night in the NHL Playoffs, all eyes in Massachusetts sports betting now will focus on the Boston Celtics.
The Celtics begin their best-of-seven Eastern Conference Semifinal series against the Philadelphia 76ers tonight in Boston (TNT, 7:30).
The hometown team is a heavy favorite on Massachusetts betting apps.
Why Boston Is a Heavy Favorite
The Celtics have a considerable advantage in this series even before first tipoff, due to the injury status of Sixers star center Joel Embiid. Embiid has a sprained lateral collateral ligament (LCL) and is officially listed as “doubtful” for tonight's series opener.
Embiid - the favorite to win the league MVP, which will be announced tomorrow night – is a gigantic weapon against the Celtics. In fact, he scored 52 points in the Sixers’ lone win in four games against the Celtics.
Paul Reed is expected to start at center for the Sixers, who will need some combination of James Harden, Tobias Harris and Tyrese Maxey to pick up the scoring load if Embiid does not play.
The teams have met 21 times in the postseason since Philadelphia became the 76ers. Boston has won 14 of those series, highlighted by a four-game series sweep in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals in 2020.
If considering a wager on tonight’s game or this series, check out Massachusetts sportsbook promos.
Celtics Need One More Step This Year
The NBA Finals runner-up a season ago to the Golden State Warriors, the Celtics are looking to rebound with another title.
The last time a team lost the NBA Finals and came back to win it all the next season: The Golden State Warriors in 2017, having lost to the LeBron James-led Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016.
WynnBET Odds on the Sixers-Celtics
Here is the latest info from Travis Eldridge of WynnBET Massachusetts.
Game One: The Celtics in the opener are a commanding 10-point favorite with 71.6% of the spread handle and a significant -535 moneyline favorite. Boston has 76.4% of the moneyline bets and 68.1% of the handle.
To win the series: The Celtics are an overwhelming -476 favorite to win the series with 64.4% bets and 63% of the handle. The Sixers have been listed at +340 to advance.
To win the NBA Championship: The Celtics are the current favorite at +120 at WynnBET with 55.2% of the bets and 58.5% of the handle. The next best odds are the Golden State Warriors at +550. The Sixers are at +1200.
BetMassachusetts.com has more on the Celtics odds to win the championship to win the title.
Before the NBA playoffs, WynnBET listed the Celtics at +300, the Sixers at +1000.
