Will Robert Williams’ Absence Push Celtics-Sixers Over?

  • The NBA kicks off with a matchup between the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers.
  • The Celtics are favored by two points at home, but Philly has covered in seven of the last eight matchups between these teams.
  • The O/U is set for 215 points, but Boston will be without rim-protector Robert Williams III.

BOSTON - NBA Opening Night kicks off with Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers taking on Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics, and NBA betting fans will have their hands full with this one.

The odds below are from popular NBA sportsbook Bovada.

Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics Odds

  • Philadelphia 76ers +2.0 -110
  • Boston Celtics -2.0 -110

Boston is fresh off of a run to the NBA Finals, and that run came on the heels of being the best team in the NBA in the second half of the season.

The Celtics added Malcolm Brogdon in the offseason, a sorely needed upgrade as a small-ball contributor, but they’ll be without defensive anchor Robert Williams III in this game.

Last season, the two teams split wins, with Philly and Boston each winning one game at home and one game on the road in the season series.

The Sixers have enjoyed recent success against the Celtics. They’ve won nine of their last twelve games against Boston.

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In addition, they’ve covered the spread in seven of their last eight games against the Celtics – and with a two-point spread, that could be an indicator of a likely win for the Sixers in this game.

Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics O/U Odds

  • Over 215.0 -110
  • Under 215.0 -110

In five of the last six Boston-based matchups between these two teams, the under has hit. The game is projected for a 215 under at many online sportsbooks.

Many of the games in the 2022 NBA Finals went under as well, as Boston is currently riding a streak of under hits, with four of their last five games going under.

The injury to Robert Williams III throws a bit of a wrench into taking the under, however. With Williams on the court, the Celtics held opposing teams to a 105.5 offensive rating, meaning they would only score 105 points per 100 possessions.

With Williams off the court, that number went up to 109 – and a difference like that could make-or-break an O/U set at 215.