The 2026 NBA playoffs start Saturday, featuring predictions for each first-round series. Experts forecast the Celtics will advance past the 76ers in multiple games.
Key points
2026 NBA playoffs start Saturday
Celtics vs. 76ers is a first-round matchup
Experts predict Celtics to win the series
Predictions vary from Celtics in 4 to 6 games
Staff predictions provided for every series
Celtics76ersNBA playoffs
The first round of the 2026 NBA playoffs begins Saturday. Who will advance to the conference semis? Here are our staff predictions for every series.
Dan Devine: Celtics in 5 Tom Haberstroh: Celtics in 5 Kelly Iko: Celtics in 4 Morten StigJensen: Celtics in 5 Steve Jones: Celtics in 5 Kevin O'Connor: Celtics in 4 BenRohrbach: Celtics in 6 Dan Titus: Celtics in 5
Joel Embiid will miss the start, if not all, of the first-round series against the Celtics because of an appendectomy. So odds are Philadelphiaâs season is over. But if the Sixers hang on, and if Embiid comes back, itâs gonna be because they replenished his scoring elsewhere. Tyrese Maxey, Paul George and VJ Edgecombe will handle most of that. But there needs to be another guy. There will need to be a Quentin Grimes Game. â OâConnor
Given all of Bostonâs efficiencies â fewest turnovers per game, third in made 3s per game and top-five in offensive rebounding rate â it is hard to imagine the Sixers manufacturing enough points, even with Maxey, Edgecombe and George as options. â
Q&A
What are the predictions for the Celtics vs. 76ers series in the 2026 NBA playoffs?
Experts predict the Celtics will win the series against the 76ers, with most forecasts suggesting they will advance in 4 to 6 games.
When do the 2026 NBA playoffs begin?
The 2026 NBA playoffs begin on Saturday.
Who are the favorites to advance in the first round of the 2026 NBA playoffs?
The Celtics are favored to advance in their first-round matchup against the 76ers.
What factors are considered in NBA playoff predictions?
NBA playoff predictions typically consider team performance, player statistics, and matchups, including X-factors that could influence the outcome.
Related Articles
NHL·Preview
Avs favored, but Sabres storyline tempts bettors
Avalanche lead Stanley Cup odds, but Sabres intrigue bettors
ESPN News··1 min read
Sports·Feature
WrestleMania 42 tier rankings: Who are the biggest stars heading into WWE's biggest event?
Discover the tier rankings for WWE stars heading into WrestleMania 42!
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports
Football is a game of opinions - so why did the SFA ban BBC's Michael Stewart?
Michael Stewart has been banned from Scotland's national football stadium due to his outspoken opinions on Scottish football. The ban highlights the tensions surrounding free speech in the sport.
Dan Devine: Knicks in 6 Tom Haberstroh: Knicks in 7 Kelly Iko: Knicks in 6 Morten StigJensen: Knicks in 7 Steve Jones: Knicks in 6 Kevin O'Connor: Knicks in 7 BenRohrbach: Knicks in 6 Dan Titus: Knicks in 6
The Hawks are tough, talented, versatile and athletic, with enough experience that itâs unlikely theyâll wilt in the postseason hothouse, despite it being this coreâs first trip as a unit. But these Knicks have won at least one road game in the opening round in each of the last three postseasons â and, in fact, eliminated the Cavaliers, 76ers and Pistons all away from MSG. I expect the trend to continue, with Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns having big series en route to New Yorkâs fifth series win in the last four postseasons. â Devine
Dan Devine: Cavs in 7 Tom Haberstroh: Cavs in 6 Kelly Iko: Cavs in 5 Morten StigJensen: Cavs in 6 Steve Jones: Cavs in 6 Kevin O'Connor: Cavs in 4 BenRohrbach: Cavs in 6 Dan Titus: Cavs in 5
I expect close games. In the clutch, Torontoâs offense has managed just 106.9 points per 100 possessions â a bottom-10 figure. Meanwhile, since Harden first took the floor for Cleveland, the Cavaliers are netting 131 points per 100 clutch possessions. Dare we say trust in Mitchell and Harden (or at least more than Barnes and Ingram)? â Rohrbach
Immannuel Quickley is all beat up. He missed time with plantar fasciitis. He didnât look quite like himself after his return in April. Now he has a right hamstring strain. But the Raptors need him to keep up with the Cavaliers. In 70 games this year, he averaged 16.4 points per game and shot 37.4% from 3 while displaying dynamic scoring talent with and without the ball in his hands. If Quickley isnât able to produce, this will be a quick series. â OâConnor
Dan Devine: Spurs in 5 Tom Haberstroh: Spurs in 6 Kelly Iko: Spurs in 5 Morten StigJensen: Spurs in 5 Steve Jones: Spurs in 5 Kevin O'Connor: Spurs in 4 BenRohrbach: Spurs in 5 Dan Titus: Spurs in 5
Between Deni Avdijaâs physical driving, Donovan Clinganâs bulk on the interior, the positional size the Blazers can bring to bear across the perimeter, the quality defenders they can throw at DeâAaron Fox, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper, and the quality of their depth, I donât think this is going to be a comfortable matchup for San Antonio. I do think itâs one theyâll be able to withstand, though, finishing off a tough but quick series and moving on to bigger and better things. â Devine
Dan Devine: Nuggets in 6 Tom Haberstroh: Nuggets in 5 Kelly Iko: Nuggets in 6 Morten StigJensen: Nuggets in 6 Steve Jones: Nuggets in 7 Kevin O'Connor: Nuggets in 7 BenRohrbach: Nuggets in 7 Dan Titus: Wolves in 7
I can buy that this Wolves team â with Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels back, with all its principals rested, with its surfeit of experience with and confidence in this specific matchup â can reach another level under the bright lights of the postseason. I just have an easier time buying that the sameâs true of a version of the Nuggets that has Nikola JokiÄ and Jamal Murray playing as well as they ever have (which is saying something) and has Gordon healthy and back in the mix. â Devine
Dan Devine: Rockets in 6 Tom Haberstroh: Rockets in 5 Kelly Iko: Rockets in 5 Morten StigJensen: Lakers in 7 Steve Jones: Rockets in 6 Kevin O'Connor: Lakers in 7 BenRohrbach: Rockets in 6 Dan Titus: Rockets in 6
On April 2, we were told the injuries to both Luka DonÄiÄ and Austin Reaves were pretty significant. Like, maybe a month-long or more. To think either will be available for this series, let alone at full strength, is a long-shot bet. Just ask the bookmakers. â Rohrbach
