There’s Eastern Conference NBA playoff action on Sunday evening as the Boston Celtics battle the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 4 of their best-of-seven series. The Celtics took Game 1, the Sixers took Game 2, and Boston stole Game 3 at Xfinity Mobile Arena, 108-100. Boston has taken four of the last seven meetings between these teams. Can the Sixers even up this series or will the Celtics head back home with a 3-1 lead? Continue reading to see my Boston vs Philadelphia prediction.
Celtics vs 76ers Game 4: Prediction, Preview, Odds
Current Odds
Boston -7; Over/Under 213
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics head into Game 4 with momentum after a composed win on the road. Boston is averaging 109.3 points in the series while shooting 44.6 percent from the field and 34.8 percent from deep. Jayson Tatum has delivered 23.0 points per game with strong rebounding and playmaking, while Jaylen Brown has been the most explosive scorer at 29.0 points on 50.8 percent shooting. Boston’s spacing has been effective, and the C’s ball movement has produced 25.3 assists per game. Their ability to generate clean threes has been a major factor.
The Celtics have also controlled the glass, averaging 46.0 rebounds, with Tatum and Brown contributing heavily on the defensive end. Derrick White and Payton Pritchard have provided steady guard play, even with inconsistent shooting. Boston’s defense has tightened in key stretches, holding Philadelphia to 100.7 points per game. Their rotations have been sharp, and their rim protection has improved each night.
For Boston to take a 3-1 lead, they must continue dictating the tempo and forcing Philadelphia into late‑clock possessions. Their transition defense has been strong, and their half‑court execution has created mismatches. If they maintain their rebounding edge and keep turnovers manageable, the Celtics can control the flow again. Their depth and versatility give them multiple ways to win, especially in a slower, physical game.
Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers enter Game 4 needing a response after falling behind in the series. They are averaging 100.7 points while shooting 43.4 percent from the field and 36.1 percent from three. Tyrese Maxey leads the team at 27.0 points, though he has needed high volume to get there. Paul George has added 18.0 points on efficient shooting, and VJ Edgecombe continues to provide 17.7 points with strong slashing. Philadelphia has struggled to find consistent rhythm, especially without Joel Embiid, who has missed the entire series and is listed as doubtful again.
The Sixers have averaged 39.7 rebounds, but they’ve struggled to control second‑chance opportunities. Their 18.7 assists per game reflect a heavy reliance on isolation and individual creation. Kelly Oubre Jr. has contributed 13.0 points, but the offense has lacked balance when shots stop falling. Philadelphia’s defense has been competitive, yet they’ve allowed Boston too many clean perimeter looks.
For Philadelphia to even the series, they must find more stability in their half‑court offense. Their best stretches have come when they push pace selectively and avoid stagnant possessions. Defensive pressure must increase, especially on Boston’s secondary shooters. If the Sixers can limit Boston’s three‑point volume and generate more efficient scoring inside the arc, they can force a tighter contest in Game 4.
Predictions
The 76ers should come into Game 4 with a sharper edge after letting Game 3 slip late. Even without Embiid, they’ve kept every matchup competitive by slowing the pace and forcing Boston into longer possessions. That style naturally keeps margins tighter, especially when the Sixers control the tempo early. Boston has won key stretches, but Philadelphia has answered every run in this building. With the series tightening and the Sixers playing with urgency, Philadelphia +7 becomes a reasonable position.
The total leans lower because both teams have focused on half‑court execution. Neither side has consistently pushed the pace, and long possessions have defined most of this series. Philadelphia’s defensive approach has limited transition scoring, while Boston has relied on methodical sets rather than quick bursts. Those trends usually suppress scoring, especially when both teams emphasize physicality. That makes Under 213 a natural fit for the expected rhythm.
This matchup projects as another grind, with both teams trading controlled possessions rather than racing up and down the floor. Philadelphia’s ability to slow tempo should keep the game within reach, while Boston’s structured offense prevents wild swings. Expect long stretches of contested shots, limited second‑chance scoring, and a scoreboard that moves steadily but never spikes. With that style in mind, Sixers +7 paired with Under 213 aligns with the most realistic Game 4 script.
Final Predictions: Philadelphia +7 & Under 213
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