Celtics, 76ers clash in first meeting since Brown trade

The Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers open Tuesday's NBA slate with their first matchup since Boston traded Jaylen Brown to the East Coast rival. The contest features a crowded field of stars, including LeBron James, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Jayson Tatum, and Paul George.

The trade altered the competitive balance between the two franchises. Brown, a five-time All-Star, now plays for Philadelphia. George, who moved to Boston in the same transaction, faces his former team. Tatum, Boston's primary option, aims to assert his leadership role in the high-profile game.

The Celtics enter the contest with an 8-2 record. They have won both games on their current four-game road trip. Their defensive efficiency ranks fourth in the league, allowing 104.3 points per game. Opponents shoot just 42.3 percent from the field against them, a mark that ranks second in the NBA.

The 76ers hold a 9-2 record. They recently concluded a difficult road trip that included one loss and two narrow victories by six points or fewer. The team faces Boston with a mix of veteran experience and young talent, seeking to capitalize on the roster shuffle.

SportsLine experts released betting recommendations for the six-game NBA slate along with NFL Week 10 and college football games. Their Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times. Since 2018, the model generated nearly $19,000 in profit for $100 players on top-rated NBA picks. It maintains a 28-12 record, or a 70 percent success rate, on top-rated spread picks from last season.

The model projects Boston to win the matchup in 60 percent of simulations. Thomas Casale, a SportsLine expert, selected No. 3 Illinois to cover against No. 19 Texas Tech in college football. NFL expert R.J. White picked the Washington Commanders to cover against the New York Giants in Thursday Night Football.

Bettors can combine these three selections into a single wager. A $100 stake on the combined bet could yield $593 in profit, with odds listed at +593. The odds are subject to change before the games begin.