Best NBA Prop Bets for Sixers vs. Celtics (Back Joel Embiid, Fade Derrick White on Tuesday)

The Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics tip off the official start of the regular season on Tuesday night. 

Boston, fresh off a trip to the NBA Finals, looks to defend home court against the James Harden and Joel Embiid-led Sixers. 

Philly hopes a full season of Embiid and Harden will be enough to take it over the top in the East, while Boston looks to repeat last season’s success. 

This game is perfect for some prop betting with so many great players on the floor, and here are three that I have my eye on: 

Sixers vs. Celtics Best NBA Prop Bets 

• Joel Embiid OVER 40.5 Points, Rebounds Assists (-120)
• James Harden OVER 8.5 Assists (-115)
• Derrick White UNDER 10.5 Points (-125) 

Joel Embiid OVER 40.5 Points, Rebounds Assists (-120)

This number is extremely low for Joel Embiid, even in a season opener, after he averaged 30.6 points, 11.7 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game last season. 

Embiid cleared this number twice against Boston in the 2021-22 campaign, scoring over 40 points in one game. The Celtics have major issues defensively in the frontcourt, as the team is without Robert Williams III (knee surgery). 

I think Embiid dominates the paint, especially when Al Horford isn’t in this game. 

James Harden OVER 8.5 Assists (-115)

This is a great spot to back Harden as a passer, as he put up crazy assist numbers for the Sixers following the trade from Brooklyn last season. 

In 21 regular season games for Philly, Harden averaged 10.5 assists per game, putting up double digit dimes in 12 of those games. He only had two games in that stretch with fewer than seven assists. 

The Sixers added more weapons on offense this offseason, so Harden should have no problem getting his teammates great looks in Game 1 of the 2022-23 season. 

Derrick White UNDER 10.5 Points (-125) 

I’m intrigued to see what Derrick White’s role is now that Malcolm Brogdon is in town, and the former San Antonio Spurs guard wasn’t exactly aggressive in a lot of Boston's postseason games in the 2021-22 campaign. 

If Brogdon takes on more of the ball-handling role off the bench, I think White’s role in the offense will shrink considerably. This number is just too high for me until we really see his usage. 

Find Peter Dewey’s full betting record here.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.