Sixers-Celtics playoff predictions roundup: Is anyone picking Philly to pull off the first-round upset?
It's been a while since the Sixers eliminated the Celtics from the postseason. Based on the national media's predictions, that doesn't look like it will be changing this year.
The Sixers are back in the playoffs after missing out last season, thanks in part to Wednesday’s Play-In Tournament win over the Orlando Magic. Their prize? A first-round date with the Boston Celtics, a team the Sixers haven’t beat in the postseason since Ronald Reagan’s first term and one they’ve never eliminated without either Wilt Chamberlain or Dr. J on the court.
Unfortunately for Philly fans, there aren’t many outside the city who think that’s going to change this time around, as almost no one is giving the No. 7 seed Sixers a realistic chance at pulling off the upset over the two-seeded Celtics.
Despite the Celtics being a -900 favorite to with the series (with the Sixers at +600), there is a path to an upset according to columnist David Murphy, who lists three things the Sixers need in order to do the improbable.
Ahead of Sunday’s Game 1 in Boston, lets take a look at what some basketball writers and analysts think will happen in the series ...
Sixers-Celtics predictions
The Athletic: Their entire staff of NBA writers is picking against the Sixers.
CBS Sports: Each of their seven top basketball minds are taking the Celtics — with none having the series lasting more than five games.
ESPN: Zach Kram thinks the Sixers fall in five games.
NBA.com: John Schumann is predicting a sweep for the Celtics.
NBC Sports: Kurt Helin also has the Celtics beating the Sixers in five games.
» READ MORE: Sixers not leaning into underdog label against Celtics, but do know ‘we’ve got to play like hell’
The Ringer: They didn’t offer any specific picks for the first-round, but four of their seven writers have the Celtics making the NBA Finals, which doesn’t bode well for the Sixers.
The Sporting News: No surprise here. Stephen Noh has the Celtics advancing to the second round.
USA Today: It’s another clean sweep, with each of their six writers backing the Celtics. But, hey, at least one of them has it going six games!
Yahoo! Sports: Nine writers, nine picks for the Celtics. But there’s another person who has the Sixers bringing it back to Philly for a Game 6.
Sixers-Celtics series schedule
Here’s a look at the full schedule for the series ...
Game 1: Sixers at Celtics, 1 p.m. Sunday, ABC
Game 2: Sixers at Celtics, 7 p.m. Tuesday, NBCSN/Peacock
Game 3: Celtics at Sixers, 7 p.m. April 24, Prime Video
Game 4: Celtics at Sixers, 7 p.m. April 26, NBC/Peacock
*Game 5: Sixers at Celtics, April 28, TBD
*Game 6: Celtics at Sixers, April 30, TBD
*Game 7: Sixers at Celtics, May 2, TBD
* If necessary