The Boston Celtics host the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden on March 1, 2026, in an important Eastern Conference matchup that could impact playoff positioning. Boston enters the game in strong form and sits comfortably near the top of the standings, while Philadelphia is fighting to stay in the playoff race. This contest becomes even more interesting because both teams are missing their biggest stars, which shifts the pressure onto their supporting players.
The Celtics have been one of the most consistent teams in recent weeks, winning most of their recent games with their elite defense leading the way. Even without Jayson Tatum, Boston has found scoring through Jaylen Brown and strong backcourt contributions. Philadelphia, on the other hand, comes into this game with momentum after three straight wins but faces a major challenge without Joel Embiid and Paul George.
With both teams relying heavily on their guards, this game is expected to be competitive. Tyrese Maxey is carrying the offensive load for the 76ers, while Boston’s balanced attack and home-court advantage give them the edge. Below is a complete preview including standings, recent form, injury updates, player stats, head-to-head record, and the best picks for tonight’s game.
Match Information
| Match | Philadelphia 76ers vs Boston Celtics |
|---|---|
| Date | March 1, 2026 |
| Time | 8:00 PM ET |
| Venue | TD Garden, Boston |
| TV | NBC / Peacock |
| Spread | Celtics -9.5 |
| Over/Under | 220.5 – 221.5 |
| Moneyline | Celtics Favorites |
Current Standings & Team Overview
| Team | Record | Position (East) | PPG | Points Allowed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Celtics | 39–20 | Top 2 | 115.0 | 107.5 |
| 76ers | 33–26 | Top 6 | 116.7 | 115.9 |
Boston owns the best defense in the NBA, while Philadelphia has a strong offense but struggles defensively.
Recent Form (Last 10 Games)
| Team | Last 10 | Current Momentum |
|---|---|---|
| Celtics | 8–2 | Won 4 of last 5 |
| 76ers | 5–5 | Won last 3 games |
Boston recently scored a season-high offensive performance, while Philadelphia’s recent wins have come with improved shooting and strong guard play.
Injury Report
Philadelphia 76ers
| Player | Status |
|---|---|
| Joel Embiid | Out – Oblique |
| Paul George | Out – Suspension |
| Johni Broome | Out – Knee |
| Kelly Oubre Jr. | Available |
Philadelphia will rely heavily on its backcourt with Embiid and George unavailable.
Boston Celtics
| Player | Status |
|---|---|
| Jayson Tatum | Out – Achilles |
| Baylor Scheierman | Day-to-day – Thumb |
Boston remains competitive even without Tatum due to its depth and defensive system.
Key Player Stats (Season Averages)
Philadelphia 76ers
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tyrese Maxey | 29.1 | 4.1 | 6.8 |
| VJ Edgecombe | 15.3 | 5.6 | 4.0 |
| Kelly Oubre Jr. | 14.5 | 4.8 | 1.7 |
| Andre Drummond | 6.8 | 8.7 | 0.9 |
Maxey has scored 27+ points in multiple recent games and remains the primary scoring option.
Boston Celtics
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jaylen Brown | 29.1 | 7.1 | 4.9 |
| Derrick White | 17.1 | 4.5 | 5.7 |
| Payton Pritchard | 17.3 | 4.1 | 5.4 |
| Nikola Vucevic | 16.2 | 8.9 | 3.5 |
Brown has taken over as the main scorer in Tatum’s absence.
Head-to-Head Record
| Category | Result |
|---|---|
| Overall Meetings | Celtics lead 59–32 |
| Last Meeting | 76ers won 102–100 |
| Last 3 Matchups | 76ers lead 2–1 |
| ATS Trend | 76ers covered last 3 |
Philadelphia has been competitive in recent meetings despite Boston’s overall historical advantage.
Team Trends & Insights
- Celtics allow the fewest points in the NBA (107.5)
- Boston has a +7.4 point differential
- 76ers games have gone Over in 54% of matchups
- Philadelphia is 18-10 ATS on the road
- Celtics are 4-1 ATS since the All-Star break
- Both teams rely heavily on perimeter scoring without their star forwards/centers
Best Picks for 76ers vs Celtics
| Market | Pick |
|---|---|
| Spread | 76ers +9.5 |
| Total | Over 220.5 |
| Moneyline | Celtics to Win |
| Player Prop | Tyrese Maxey Over 26.5 Points |
Also see: Most Free Throws Made in a Row
Predicted Score
Celtics 118 – 76ers 110
Boston enters this matchup as the stronger and more balanced team, especially at home. Their elite defense and recent form give them a clear advantage, even without Jayson Tatum. Jaylen Brown’s scoring and the Celtics’ depth should help them control the game tempo.
Philadelphia is playing with confidence after three straight wins, but the absence of Joel Embiid and Paul George limits their overall ceiling. The 76ers will depend heavily on Tyrese Maxey to keep the offense competitive, and his current scoring form suggests he can deliver another big performance.
Expect Boston to secure the win, but Philadelphia’s strong road record and recent head-to-head success should help them keep the game within the spread. The matchup also has the potential to cross the total if both teams’ guards find their rhythm offensively.
