The series is tied 1-1, Joel Embiid may or may not be available, and a 19-year-old rookie just dropped 30 points in a playoff win.
Our 76ers vs Celtics predictions for Game 3 are set against one of the most compelling first-round stories of the 2026 NBA playoffs.
Philadelphia and Boston were supposed to produce a quick Boston win. Instead, they have given us a genuine series.
| Game 3 Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Date | Friday, April 24, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 7:00 PM ET |
| Venue | Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA |
| Series (best of 7) | Tied 1-1 |
| TV | ESPN/ABC |
76ers vs Celtics Best Bets and Predictions
Boston are heavy favorites but Embiid’s potential return makes this a live situation. Here are our picks for Game 3, with odds from bet365.
| Our Prediction | Odds @ bet365 US | Confidence | Why We’re Backing It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Celtics to win | -300 @ bet365 (75.0% implied) | ⭐⭐⭐ | Fully healthy roster, top seed, Embiid still doubtful. Boston’s depth advantage holds if Philly’s franchise player is out again. |
| Jaylen Brown Over 26.5 points | Over 26.5 (-112) @ bet365 (52.8% implied) | ⭐⭐⭐ | Brown is averaging 31.0 PPG in these playoffs, third league-wide. Boston will lean on him heavily as primary scorer in a hostile road environment. |
| Tyrese Maxey Over 6.5 assists | Over 6.5 (+112) @ bet365 (47.2% implied) | ⭐⭐ | Maxey is averaging 8.5 assists per game in the playoffs, fourth league-wide. With Embiid absent, he is the primary playmaker and that number should hold. |
Our approach: Start with the Celtics moneyline, add Jaylen Brown’s points prop for parlay potential.
Odds correct at the time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.
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76ers vs Celtics Odds for Game 3
Boston are priced at -300 on the moneyline at bet365 US. That reflects their first-seed status and the uncertainty surrounding Embiid’s availability. The spread sits at 7.0 points in the Celtics’ favor, with both sides priced at -110. If Embiid is confirmed to play, expect those lines to move significantly before tip-off.
| Market | Boston Celtics | Philadelphia 76ers |
|---|---|---|
| Moneyline | -300 | +240 |
| Point Spread | -7.0 (-110) | +7.0 (-110) |
| Total (Over/Under) | 215.5 (Over -110 / Under -110) | |
Bet on 76ers vs Celtics Game 3 at bet365
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Joel Embiid Injury Update: The Variable That Changes Everything
The biggest question heading into Game 3 is not tactical. It is whether Joel Embiid suits up for the first time in this series.
Embiid underwent an emergency appendectomy approximately two weeks ago. He was listed as OUT for both Game 1 and Game 2. However, he has now been upgraded to DOUBTFUL after participating in practice. That is a meaningful shift. DOUBTFUL is not OUT. Philadelphia are keeping the door open, and that matters for how you read these 76ers vs Celtics predictions.
If Embiid plays, even at reduced capacity, this becomes a different series. He averaged 26.9 points and shot 48.9% from the field during the regular season. He is the center around which Philadelphia’s entire offensive scheme is built. Without him, the 76ers have been forced to improvise. They split the first two games despite his absence. With him, their ceiling shifts considerably.
Cameron Payne (hamstring, injured reserve) remains out. Emoni Bates (knee) is day-to-day but is not a significant factor either way. Boston enter Game 3 with a fully healthy roster.
76ers vs Celtics: How the Series Has Unfolded
Boston came into the postseason as the Atlantic Division’s top seed after a 56-26 regular season. Philadelphia earned their place through the Play-In Tournament, defeating the Orlando Magic 109-97 to secure their spot.
The first two games told contrasting stories. Game 1 was a blowout. Boston won 123-91 with clinical efficiency: strong offense, disciplined defense, and little resistance from a Philadelphia side missing its franchise player. It looked, briefly, like a series that would end in four or five games.
Game 2 was the counter-argument. Philadelphia won 111-97, anchored by Tyrese Maxey (29 points) and the emergence of rookie V.J. Edgecombe. Edgecombe finished with 30 points and 10 rebounds on his first significant playoff stage. He was the third overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft out of Baylor. His performance recalibrates what Philadelphia can do in this series, even without Embiid.
Key Player Matchups to Watch in Game 3
Maxey vs. White: Philadelphia’s Engine Against Boston’s Stopper
Tyrese Maxey carries Philadelphia’s offensive load with Embiid out. He averaged 28.3 points and 6.6 assists per game during the regular season. In the playoffs, he records 8.5 assists per game, fourth league-wide. Boston will lean on Derrick White to limit his creation. White averaged 16.5 points and 5.4 assists during the regular season, but his primary value is as a perimeter disruptor at the defensive end.
Tatum as the Engine, Not Just the Star
Jayson Tatum averages 12.5 rebounds and 8.0 assists per game in these playoffs. Those numbers reveal a player functioning as a full facilitator as much as a scorer. When he is not scoring, he creates for Brown or moves the ball to keep the offense fluid. That multi-dimensional output makes Boston difficult to contain.
Jaylen Brown’s Scoring Volume
Jaylen Brown averages 31.0 points per game in the playoffs, third league-wide in postseason scoring. His ability to manufacture points off the dribble and in isolation is Boston’s primary insurance policy. Even in Game 2, when Philadelphia defended far more cohesively than in the opener, Brown kept the Celtics competitive for long stretches.
76ers vs Celtics Predictions: Our Game 3 Pick
The Embiid question shapes these 76ers vs Celtics predictions, and there is no clean answer before the official injury report drops on game day.
If Embiid plays, the case for Philadelphia is real. Home court, momentum from Game 2, Maxey in excellent form, and Edgecombe already looking comfortable: the conditions are in place for a significant 76ers performance. A healthy Embiid at Wells Fargo, even on limited minutes, is a different proposition to anything Boston faced in Games 1 or 2.
If Embiid is ruled out, the calculus shifts back toward Boston. Their depth, their health, and Tatum and Brown’s combined output make them the more reliable side. A road team this well-constructed does not fold in front of a hostile crowd.
Our prediction: Celtics to win Game 3. However, if Embiid is confirmed available before tip-off, the 76ers’ case strengthens considerably. Their moneyline at +240 with bet365 becomes genuinely interesting. Monitor the NBA’s official injury report and adjust accordingly.
Back the Celtics at -300 with bet365
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FAQs
When is 76ers vs Celtics Game 3?
Game 3 tips off on Friday, April 24, 2026, at 7:00 PM ET at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. It is available on ESPN/ABC.
Is Joel Embiid playing in Game 3 vs Celtics?
Embiid is listed as DOUBTFUL for Game 3 after being upgraded from OUT. He participated in practice following his emergency appendectomy. His availability will be confirmed on the official NBA injury report closer to tip-off.
Who leads the 76ers vs Celtics series?
The series is tied 1-1. Boston won Game 1 (123-91) and Philadelphia won Game 2 (111-97). Game 3 takes place in Philadelphia on April 24.
Who has the best odds in 76ers vs Celtics Game 3?
Boston are priced at -300 on the moneyline at bet365, with Philadelphia available at +240. The spread sits at 7.0 points in the Celtics’ favor. Check bet365 for the latest Game 3 odds.
What channel is 76ers vs Celtics on?
Game 3 is available on ESPN/ABC. Check your local cable or streaming provider for availability in your area.
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