The Boston Celtics are set to face off against the Philadelphia 76ers on Christmas Day, December 25, 2024, at TD Garden, with the game tipping off at 5:00 PM ET. This exciting contest marks the first of four meetings between these historic rivals this season.
The Celtics (22-7), currently standing second in the Eastern Conference, are coming off a disappointing loss against the Orlando Magic. They are eager to avoid back-to-back defeats, particularly as they welcome back star player Jayson Tatum, who missed the previous game due to illness. Tatum leads the Celtics with an impressive average of 28.8 points per game, alongside 5.7 assists and 9.3 rebounds. Boston has excelled this season, outscoring opponents by 9.5 points on average and ranking fourth overall with 119.1 points per game.
Meanwhile, the 76ers (10-17) are on the rise, having won five of their last seven games, including a recent victory over the San Antonio Spurs. Tyrese Maxey, averaging 25.4 points, 5.1 assists, and 3.9 rebounds per game, has emerged as the cornerstone of Philadelphia's offense, particularly with Joel Embiid and Paul George joining him for just the sixth time this season.
The stakes are high as the Celtics aim to recover their momentum and the 76ers look to build on their recent form. Both teams have faced injury woes, with the Celtics missing point guard Jrue Holiday due to right shoulder impingement. This has put more pressure on Tatum and his teammate Jaylen Brown, who scored 35 points against the Magic but noted the team's struggles with physical play and execution down the stretch.
On the flip side, the 76ers will be without Jared McCain, who is sidelined with a meniscus injury, and have multiple key players listed as questionable. The return of their 'Big Three' presents them with the chance to showcase their full potential against one of the strongest teams in the league.
According to betting predictions, the Celtics are favored as 8.5-point home favorites, which reflects their stronger season performance and home-court advantage. The computer models predict the Celtics will win with a projected score of 118-104, emphasizing the confidence behind their scoring ability compared to the 76ers, who are struggling statistically. While Philadelphia’s scoring is currently limited to 105.9 points per game, they are still capable of surprises sparked by Maxey's skill and recent performances.
Coaches Joe Mazzulla for Boston and Nick Nurse for Philadelphia will be acutely aware of the significance of this game, not only as another step toward playoff positioning but also as part of the intense rivalry steeped in the history of the NBA. Mazzulla had to witness his team set season lows for offensive production during their last game, and he will be aiming to excise those mistakes on this national holiday.
Fans and spectators can tune in for the anticipated matchup across multiple channels including ABC, ESPN, and streaming on Fubo, as both teams vie for supremacy and capitalize on the festive spirit. With injuries, statistical analysis, and the collective skill on display, viewers are set for what promises to be another memorable chapter of the Celtics and 76ers rivalry.
