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Celtics vs 76ers Predictions & Best Bets

Today at 7:30 PM on ESPN

The Philadelphia 76ers and I have something in common. We would both like to forget Game 2 of their series with the Boston Celtics even happened. Despite the return of league MVP Joel Embiid, the Sixers were no match for the Celtics on Wednesday night.

Game 3 should be a hotly contested affair, and the building will be rocking. The Sixers fans will look to shower the newly-crowned MVP with affection and impact the game.

Both meetings in Philadelphia this season were close games, and I expect this one to follow suit. Ultimately, though, I believe Boston will emerge victorious and take the series lead.

The Celtics have won four of six meetings dating back to the regular season. In Philly’s victories, they have gotten a 52-point effort from Embiid and a 45-point game from James Harden. If the stars do not shine for the Sixers, they tend to fall short against the Celtics.

Celtics -1.5 (-105) • DraftKings

Because I expect Boston to win, the question becomes whether to play the moneyline or the spread. The extra payoff in taking the spread is 10 cents to the dollar.

Jayson Tatum Over 26.5 Points (-175) • DraftKings

Despite a poor performance in Game 2 in which Jayson Tatum only scored 7 points, which was less than what Grant Williams and Payton Pritchard, his team managed to win. I expect Tatum will bounce back in the next game and score 30+ points. While I'm not taking that specific action, I do believe he'll score more than 26.5 points, with odds of -175.

Tobias Harris Over 13.5 Points (-150) • DraftKings

Tobias Harris is a valuable but often overlooked player on the 76ers team in this series. He is a consistent performer who always delivers. While Joel Embiid is likely to have an MVP-caliber game in front of the home crowd, he may draw a lot of attention, creating opportunities for Harris to make some easy shots. I’m doing another alternate line here with Harris going 13.5 points at -150.

Read more from Mick Ciallela’s Celtics vs 76ers Predictions & Best Bets.

Nuggets vs Suns Predictions & Best Bets

Today at 10:00 PM on ESPN

Game 3 between the Nuggets and Suns is the late game on Friday night, making it the perfect time to build a same-game parlay. With Denver up 2-0, we can expect a hard-fought contest as the series heads to Phoenix for the first time.

Kevin Durant Over 26.5 Points (-185) • DraftKings

The Suns need Durant and Devin Booker to take over this game on the offensive side, especially without Chris Paul. I would expect Durant to take at least 25 shots in this game, so I like adding his 26.5+ points prop at -185 to this parlay.

Nikola Jokić Over 12.5 Rebounds (-195) • DraftKings

Jokić has been a monster on the boards in this series and has met little resistance from Deandre Ayton. He has 35 rebounds in the first two games combined, so 12.5 rebounds should be no problem for him here in Game 3.

Jokić may also be playing with a chip on his shoulder after losing out on his third straight MVP win to Joel Embiid earlier this week.

Under 234.5 Points (-264.5) • DraftKings

Finally, the Suns’ best game of the series thus far was in Game 2, when they held the Nuggets to just 97 points. They will need to put on a strong defensive performance to win Game 3, so I expect a low-scoring game.

Read more from Ani Sridhar’s Nuggets vs Suns Parlays.

UFC 288 Odds & Best Bets

There are 14 fights currently listed on the card. Early prelims will begin at 6 p.m. ET. Prelims will then start at 8 p.m. The five-fight main card will begin at 10 p.m. and feature the following bouts:

• Bantamweight Championship: Aljamain Sterling (c) vs. Henry Cejudo

• Welterweight: Belal Muhammad vs. Gilbert Burns

• Women’s Strawweight: Jéssica Andrade vs. Yan Xiaonan

• Featherweight: Movsar Evloev vs. Bryce Mitchell

• Featherweight: Kron Gracie vs. Charles Jourdain

Cejudo Defeats Sterling (-115) • DraftKings

Sure, he hasn’t fought since 2020, but Cejudo is still an absolute master on the floor and the perfect counter to Sterling’s style.

While Sterling deserves immense credit for winning eight in a row, it’s been in an interesting run. His last fight against an injured T.J. Dillashaw didn’t tell us much, and there were plenty of fascinating matchups along the way.

Simply put, Cejudo has more firepower. His wrestling, of course, is the elite of the elite. But the other elements of his game is where he can separate himself here.

Read more from Adam Kramer’s UFC 288 Odds & Best Bets.

Kentucky Derby Predictions to Win/Place/Show

No. 5 Tapit Trice to Win (5-1)

Forte will be on the most tickets, but Tapit Trice feels like the best horse in the field.

The post position will be just fine, and it feels likely that he will build on the most recent performance and Beyer. The extra distance should be just fine, assuming he gets a good trip along the way.

No. 6 Kingsbarns to Place (12-1)

Kingsbarns is one of the least experienced horses in the race, and that is certainly a concern. But it also delivered a 95 Beyer Speed Figure in his third race. Plus, he’s a Pletcher horse and should enter this one on a high.

It might be a smidge early, but I am willing to take that chance with the odds attached. A big run by Kingsbarns would not surprise at all.

No. 14 Angel of Empire to Show (8-1)

This is a bet on style. Angel of Empire seems to be improving, and I feel confident in Brad Cox as a trainer. With an outside post, Angel of Empire should start right where it needs to when it comes to a pathway to a finish.

The key to closing will be a fast start, and there are enough horses hoping to move quickly where this should transpire.

Read more from Adam Kramer’s Kentucky Derby Odds & Predictions 2023.