Boston escaped a near 24-point collapse against the 76ers by diving for loose balls and crashing the offensive glass.

SportsLine's model simulated Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers 10,000 times and revealed its 2025 NBA Cup picks

The 76ers will be down a pair of rotation players as they face the Celtics at 7 p.m. Friday from Philadelphia. Paul George (left knee surgery) and Jared McCain (right thumb surgery) are both out for Friday’s contest as they have yet to play this season.

The Celtics beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 125-105 Wednesday, covering as a 3.5-point home underdog as the Under (233.5) cashed. F Jaylen Brown led the way with 30 points and has picked up much of the scoring load with F Jayson Tatum out with a torn Achilles. Boston, which lost its first 3 games, has won and covered in 2 straight contests.

The Celtics led by 24 points in the second quarter on Friday and were still fortunate to leave Philadelphia with a win.

Throughout the first quarter of the Friday night matchup between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Boston Celtics, VJ Edgecombe attempted just one shot. Since the

Celtics rookie Hugo Gonzalez brought the effort Boston needed to beat the rival (and previously undefeated) 76ers in Philadelphia.

Joel Embiid dissects the team's defensive struggles after the Philadelphia 76ers fall to the Boston Celtics in the NBA Cup.

Tyrese Maxey had a great highlight during the third quarter of the 76ers' NBA Cup opener against the Celtics on Friday night.