Celtics vs 76ers Prediction, Picks & Odds for NBA Playoffs Game 3

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If Joe Mazzulla had a fever, the cure wouldn’t be more cowbell. It would be more threes.

Despite the Boston Celtics coming out on the losing end of a shootout with the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday, don’t expect their head coach to dial things back from beyond the arc heading into Game 3.

Mazzulla wants Boston to chuck it from deep, which makes the Over on 3-point player props a live market.

And while eyes swing to C’s stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, my Celtics vs. 76ers predictions like Derrick White to find his touch from downtown.

Find out more in my NBA picks for Friday, April 24.

Celtics vs 76ers prediction

Celtics vs 76ers best bet: Derrick White Over 2.5 threes (+102)

The Boston Celtics went just 19-for-50 from 3-point land in Game 2, but it wasn’t like the Philadelphia 76ers were playing lockdown defense on the perimeter.

In fact, 24 of those 3-point attempts qualified as “wide open”, with no defender within six feet of the shooter. However, the Celtics cashed in only six of those opportunities from outside.

Although Derrick White is a collective 4-for-17 from beyond the arc against the Sixers, including a 4-for-14 count on 3-point attempts with a defender at least four feet away, he has no intention of shooting less.

“You got to have that confidence the next one’s going to go in and got to have that belief,” White told reporters ahead of Game 3. “I think if you get a good look or if it’s an open look, you’re hurting the team if you don’t take it. If you’re out there and you get a good look, you got to take it and knock it down.”

Given the way Philadelphia’s guards exploited Boston’s drop coverage on high screens in Game 2 (Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe were a combined 11-for-22 on 3-pointers), Friday’s game could see a surplus of triples from both sides.

That means ample opportunities for White to get right from deep, and his player projections for Game 3 all lean toward 3+ makes from downtown.

Celtics vs 76ers same-game parlay

Over the last three years, Boston boasts a 6-1 SU record following a loss in the playoffs. The Celtics’ shooting is set to get right, while the Sixers will come back to earth as Boston adjusts on defense.

Jaylen Brown registered 13.0 potential assists in Game 2, but the Celtics’ piss-poor shooting converted only four of those passes into assists. Brown finished with six dimes in Game 1, and since Jayson Tatum returned in late March, he’s averaged 5.5 assists on 9.7 potential assists per contest.

Celtics vs 76ers SGP

• Celtics moneyline
• Derrick White Over 2.5 threes
• Jaylen Brown Over 4.5 assists

Our “from downtown” SGP: Weapons of “Mass” Destruction

Joe Mazzula will give his guys the green light from beyond the arc. The 76ers dodged several bullets in Game 2, with Boston unable to cash in on wide-open looks from long range. 

The Celtics won’t let those go to waste in Game 3, which could turn into a 3-point shootout given the 76ers’ preferred approach.

Celtics vs 76ers SGP

• Celtics -6.5
• Over 215.5
• Jayson Tatum Over 2.5 threes
• Jaylen Brown Over 1.5 threes
• Derrick White Over 2.5 threes

Celtics vs 76ers odds for Game 3

• Spread: Celtics -6.5 (-110) | 76ers +6.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: Celtics -300 | 76ers +240
• Over/Under: Over 215.5 (-110) | Under 215.5 (-110)

Celtics vs 76ers betting trend to know

Boston is 59-13 SU and 51-21 ATS coming off a loss since the 2023-24 season, including 6-1 SU and ATS in the playoffs during that span. Find more NBA betting trends for Celtics vs. 76ers.

How to watch Celtics vs 76ers Game 3

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