Celtics vs. 76ers Tuesday NBA injury report, odds: Marcus Smart, Robert Williams now questionable, spread drops slightly; Joel Embiid set at 31.5 points

The marquee matchup around the NBA on Tuesday is the Boston Celtics carrying an NBA-best eight-game winning streak into Philadelphia, which has won two in a row and is battling for the best record in the Eastern Conference behind MVP betting favorite Joel Embiid. The Celtics had been -3 at Caesars Sportsbook – rare time Philly is a home dog this season – but are now -2 with starting guard Marcus Smart and center Robert Williams downgraded to questionable. Click here for model picks. 

Certainly not always, but the majority of time when a player is downgraded the afternoon of a game, it means they aren't playing. Smart is dealing with a non-COVID illness and Williams a calf issue. During the eight-game winning streak, only one team has scored at least 100 points vs. Boston, and Smart and Williams are two big reasons why. Smart is among the NBA steals leaders at 1.9 per game and Williams among the blocks leaders at 2.2 per game. Since Smart returned from a thigh injury, Boston has gone 10-1.

If Williams has to sit, that could be a boon offensively for Embiid, who has scored at least 25 points in 23 straight games, four shy of the franchise record set by Allen Iverson. Embiid just dropped his fourth career triple-double with 40 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists in Saturday's win over Cleveland. He became the second player since 1960 to have a 40-point triple-double in 33 or fewer game minutes.

For a triple-double tonight, Embiid is +2000 with no at -6000. He's -450 for a double-double and has an Over/Under of 31.5 points and 12.5 rebounds. The Celtics will get some frontcourt help regardless with trade acquisition Daniel Theis cleared to make his debut. He was re-acquired from Houston last week but it took a few days for the trade to be official.

The Sixers officially introduced James Harden at a press conference today, but he won't debut until after the All-Star break. Paul Millsap also came over from the Nets in that trade and could debut tonight.

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