NBA basketball
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NBA

NBA: 76ers (+4) @ Celtics O/U 224 - Xmas Day, 5:35 pm (ABC)

Greg Frank

Pick: 76ers +4

The Sixers are ahead of Boston in the East right now, but those that have paid attention when these two teams have squared off recently would know this game means more for Philly than it does Boston. The Celtics have won 15 of the last 17 regular season meetings between these two and made quick work of the Sixers in the playoffs last season, winning the series in five games. It’s become a one-sided rivalry, but Christmas marks the first time the teams do battle since the Sixers acquired Jimmy Butler, a wing defender they desperately needed against Boston. Jayson Tatum averaged 23.6 PPG against the Sixers in the playoffs last year and we like Butler to help the Sixers at the very least keep this within one possession.

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