76ers vs Celtics Prediction, Picks & Odds for NBA Playoffs Game 5

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Solving the riddle of the Boston Celtics requires far more than the Philadelphia 76ers getting Joel Embiid back in the lineup.

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That said, Embiid’s presence in the interior is undeniable, and Philadelphia really needs him to dominate the defensive glass to limit the C’s second-chance looks.

My 76ers vs. Celtics predictions peg Embiid to gorge himself on the glass with my NBA picks taking the Sixers center to top his rebounding prop on April 28.

76ers vs Celtics prediction

76ers vs Celtics best bet: Joel Embiid Over 8.5 rebounds (+110)

Heading into the series, the Philadelphia 76ers knew rebounding was going to be an issue, especially with Joel Embiid recovering from an appendectomy for the first three games.

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The Boston Celtics are one of the best offensive rebounding teams in the NBA, with guards crashing the glass and snatching up long rebounds from the team’s surplus of outside shots.
 
Even with Embiid back for Game 4, Boston rounded up 14 offensive rebounds Sunday, which led to 19 second-chance points. Afterward, Philadelphia head coach Nick Nurse criticized his team’s lack of effort on the glass.

Embiid played 34 minutes in his first game since April 6, and while his conditioning was poor, he still finished with 10 rebounds. However, he was in position for 21 rebounding chances, which would normally fetch between 12 and 15 boards for most centers.

The 7-footer doesn’t stray too far from the rim, even when defending the Celtics’ pick-and-roll. He’s opting for drop coverage, which keeps him in a prime position to get after it on the glass.

Before his surgery, Embiid was rebounding well despite coming in and out of the lineup with shin/ankle/oblique injuries in February and March. In his final eight games of regular-season action, he averaged 8.8 boards on 14.5 rebounding chances.

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I expect him to be a bit livelier in Game 5, having shaken off the rust. With the 76ers’ guards making a concerted effort to box out, that surge in rebounding chances converts into actual boards.

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Publish date : 2026-04-27 20:00:00

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