Celtics vs 76ers Game 7 Live: Tatum Out, Picks & Start Time

The Boston Celtics will host the Philadelphia 76ers tonight for Game 7 of the Eastern Conference first‑round series.

Both teams entered the decisive matchup tied at three games apiece after the Sixers erased a 3‑1 deficit.

Boston’s star forward Jayson Tatum was ruled out late Saturday with left knee stiffness.

Tatum had been averaging 23.3 points, 10.7 rebounds, 6.8 assists and 1.2 steals in 36.3 minutes per game this postseason.

The Celtics will rely on auxiliary pieces such as Derrick White, Payton Pritchard and rookie Baylor Scheierman.

Philadelphia’s frontcourt star Joel Embiid remains healthy and will anchor the Sixers’ offense.

Tyrese Maxey and Paul George have each delivered back‑to‑back wins that forced the series to a seventh game.

The game is scheduled to tip off at 7:30 p.m. ET (4:30 p.m. PT) on NBC and Peacock.

Boston entered the series as a 4.5‑point favorite even after Tatum’s injury, according to DraftKings, FanDuel and BetMGM.

Prior to the injury the Celtics were 8.5‑point favorites, indicating a four‑point swing caused by Tatum’s absence.

Boston’s record without Tatum this season was 43‑23, a winning percentage of roughly 65 %.

The Celtics have won 66 games without Tatum over the past three seasons, showing depth in their roster.

Philadelphia’s recent run includes a 3‑1 comeback, the first such reversal by the Sixers since 2018.

The victory would pair the Sixers with the New York Knicks in the second round.

Boston’s home‑court advantage at TD Garden remains a significant factor, as the Celtics are 31‑13 in home playoff games this decade.

Jaylen Brown, the Celtics’ other star, is expected to carry a larger offensive load tonight.

Brown has referenced a previous Game 7 loss in 2023 as motivation to improve his playmaking and left‑hand skill.

Defensive matchups will be crucial, particularly how Brown handles Paul George’s pressure.

Philadelphia will look to exploit Boston’s recent offensive rebounding struggles, as the Celtics grabbed only one offensive board before halftime on Thursday.

In the previous two games, Boston’s offensive rebounding rate dropped from 12.3 % to 8.7 %.

Turnover margins also favored Philadelphia, with the Celtics committing 14 turnovers in Game 6.

Boston’s three‑point shooting has been inconsistent, hitting 23‑of‑80 attempts (28.8 %) in Games 5 and 6.

The Celtics have attempted 273 three‑pointers in the series, shooting 35 % overall.

Improved long‑range accuracy could be a deciding factor in a low‑scoring, defensive battle.

Philadelphia’s bench contributed 28 points in Game 6, highlighting depth that could challenge Boston’s role players.

Sam Hauser has yet to find rhythm against the Sixers, but his perimeter shooting could stretch Boston’s defense.

Jordan Walsh has limited offensive impact, primarily focusing on defending Maxey.

Payton Pritchard was quiet in Game 6, raising questions about his role in tonight’s rotation.

Boston’s coaching staff, led by Joe Mazzulla, will need to adjust lineups after sitting starters early in the fourth quarter of Game 6.

Strategically, the Celtics may increase the minutes of their big men to compensate for Tatum’s loss.

Defensive schemes will likely emphasize protecting the paint, as Embiid excels at drawing fouls inside.

Philadelphia’s offensive sets have featured Embiid operating both in the post and facing the basket.

In Game 5, Embiid primarily posted up, while in Game 6 he played more with his back to the basket.

His shooting percentage from the field this series sits at 48.5 %.

Maxey’s scoring average in the series is 24.1 points per game, making him the Sixers’ primary offensive weapon.

Paul George celebrated his 36th birthday on May 2, matching the date of his only previous playoff birthday game.

George scored 23 points in Game 4, helping the Sixers force a Game 7.

The Sixers’ overall field‑goal percentage in the series is 46.2 %.

Boston’s defensive rating this postseason is 104.7, ranking seventh among all playoff teams.

Philadelphia’s defensive rating is 106.3, slightly higher but still competitive.

The following table summarizes key series statistics for both teams.

Team	Points Per Game	Rebounds Per Game
Boston Celtics	108.5	45.2
Philadelphia 76ers	109.7	48.9

The Celtics hold a slight edge in defensive efficiency, while the Sixers lead in rebounding.

Both teams have exchanged the “We Want Boston” chant during the series, illustrating the intense rivalry.

Celtics fans initially mocked the Sixers’ confidence after a 123‑91 Game 1 win.

Philadelphia supporters later responded with the same chant in Boston’s arena, heightening the atmosphere.

Game 7 will be the first playoff meeting between the two squads since the 2018 first round.

Historically, Boston leads the all‑time postseason series record against Philadelphia 13‑7.

The winner will secure a spot in the Eastern Conference semifinals, facing either the Knicks or another advancing team.

Media coverage of the game has been provided by Veezstream.

Veezstream reported that the Celtics remain favored despite the injury, reflecting betting market confidence.

Philadelphia’s fan base will travel in large numbers, with an estimated 12,000 Sixers supporters expected at TD Garden.

Boston’s ticket revenue for the game is projected to exceed $5 million, based on arena capacity and pricing.

Security measures include increased police presence and bag checks, given the high‑stakes nature of the contest.

The game will also feature a halftime ceremony honoring former Celtics legend Bill Russell.

Both teams will wear their standard home and away uniforms, with the Celtics in green and the Sixers in red.

Post‑game analysis will be broadcast on Veezstream’s digital platform.

Social media engagement is expected to peak, with hashtags #CelticsVs76ers and #Game7 trending nationwide.

Fans are advised to check local listings for broadcast times and streaming options.

All players are subject to NBA health protocols, and any last‑minute updates will be communicated through official channels.

The outcome of this Game 7 will have lasting implications for both franchises’ playoff narratives.