The third-seeded Philadelphia 76ers hope to continue their amazing late-season run Monday when they visit the second-seeded Boston Celtics as small road favorites for Game 1 of their Eastern Conference second-round NBA playoff series.

In their last 21 games, the 76ers have gone a remarkable 20-1 straight up and 15-6 against the spread, according to the OddsShark NBA Database.

NBA point spread: The Sixers opened as two-point favorites; the total is at 207, according to sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark. (Line updates and matchup report)

NBA betting pick, via OddsShark computer: 110.5-97.6, Sixers (NBA picks on every game)

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Why the Sixers can cover the spread

Philadelphia saw its 17-game winning streak snapped in Game 2 of their first-round series versus the Miami Heat but then proceeded to win three straight with center Joel Embiid returning to the lineup and ended up closing them out in five.

The 76ers have some of the best young talent in the NBA led by Embiid, who is a matchup nightmare for every team remaining in the postseason. As long as Embiid can stay healthy, they are a serious threat to win the East and are rightfully favored to win this series over the Celtics.

Why the Celtics can cover the spread

Boston may be hard-pressed to beat Philadelphia without Kyrie Irving, although the team has more playoff experience and a strong home-court advantage.

In Game 7 against the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday, the Celtics won in a 112-96 rout, covering the spread easily as five-point home favorites.

They ended up with a perfect 4-0 record both straight up and against the spread at home in the first round and have gone an impressive 8-1 SU and ATS in their last nine at TD Garden overall, dating back to the regular season. That home-court edge could be a big one again in this series.

Smart betting pick

Boston might not have a dominant center like Embiid in the middle, but the team does have a solid rotation of big men that can be used to throw at him defensively, including Al Horford, Aron Baynes and Greg Monroe, who played sparingly in the first round.

The Celtics also have a good group of guards now that Marcus Smart is finally back from a thumb injury. Smart will be counted on offensively and defensively in this series, and his presence, along with the emergence of Terry Rozier (26 points in Game 7), will help lead Boston to a cover and possible upset of favored Philadelphia in Game 1.

NBA betting trends

Philadelphia is 5-1 ATS in its last six games.

Philadelphia is 6-1 ATS in its last seven games on the road.

The total has gone over in nine of Boston's last 11 games.

All NBA odds and betting trends according to Bleacher Report’s official odds partner, OddsShark. Check out OddsShark on Twitter and Instagram or head to YouTube for more betting picks and analysis on this week's top games. You can also download the free odds tracker app.