The Boston Celtics own the recent rivalry with the Philadelphia 76ers after taking eight of the last 10 meetings outright. That includes four of five in an Eastern Conference playoff series last season and going 8-2 against the spread along the way. Can the Sixers put the brakes on that run when the teams meet on Christmas?

NBA point spread: The Celtics opened as six-point favorites; the total is at 222.5, according to sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark. (Line updates and matchup report)

Why the 76ers can cover the spread

Philadelphia owns a two-game winning streak after topping a shorthanded Toronto team Saturday night, 126-101. The Sixers led the Raptors by only six points late in the third quarter but pulled away on their way to the cover as 7.5-point favorites. On the night, Philly shot 54 percent from the floor while holding the Raptors to just 39 percent shooting, and the Sixers won the battle on the glass, 61-47.

Last Wednesday Philadelphia shot 53 percent from the field while holding the New York Knicks to just 43 percent in a 131-109 win, covering as a 12-point favorite.

So the Sixers have shot at least 50 percent from the floor in five of their last seven times out and out-rebounded five of their last seven opponents. They're also 5-3 both SU and ATS over their last eight games. At 22-12 overall, Philadelphia is tied with Indiana for the No. 3 spot in the Eastern Conference standings, just one game behind No. 2 Milwaukee.

Why the Celtics can cover the spread

Boston just snapped a three-game losing skid with a 119-103 victory over Charlotte on Sunday night. The Celtics scored the first nine points of the game, then won the second quarter 39-21 to lead 68-47 at the half. Boston later pushed that advantage to 33 on its way to the easy cover as a 7.5-point favorite.

On the night, the Celtics shot 50 percent from the field and held the Hornets to 43 percent shooting. Boston was also able to rest starters, none of whom played more than 29 minutes.

The Celtics lost three games in a row last week, but just before that they won eight straight. Boston is also 7-5 ATS this season when favored by five points or fewer. At 19-13 overall, the Celtics own the No. 5 spot in the East, two games behind the Sixers and Pacers in the battle for the No. 4 spot.

Smart betting pick

Boston took the first meeting between these teams this season in October, 105-87, covering as a five-point favorite. But the Sixers are playing the better ball as of late. While the Celtics recently won eight in a row, not one of the teams they beat during that streak has a winning record.

Despite Boston's recent dominance in this rivalry, smart money takes Philly and the points.

NBA betting trends

Philadelphia is 8-4 ATS in its last 12 games.

The total has gone over in four of Philadelphia's last six games.

The total has gone over in five of Boston's last six 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.

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