Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers have pushed the opening-round series with the Boston Celtics to seven games, and the two teams will face off Saturday night with a spot in the second round on the line. The series shifted greatly once the former MVP returned from the emergency appendectomy surgery that kept him sidelined for the final three games of the regular season, the play-in victory over the Magic, and the first three games of this series.

This is the fourth time these teams have faced off in the postseason during the Embiid era, and this is their second Game 7 in that span. It has been an impressive turnaround for the Sixers, even giving themselves a chance after Boston opened as a -900 favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook in the series.

The Celtics enter as 4.5-point home favorites for Game 7 on DraftKings Sportsbook. The 76ers are +136 underdogs, with the game total set at 204.5 points.

Let’s dive into my favorite Joel Embiid player prop for Saturday’s Game 7 showdown.

Best Joel Embiid prop bets on DraftKings Sportsbook

Joel Embiid to Record 8+ First Quarter Points (+110)

The entire outlook for this series shifted when Joel Embiid returned to the floor. The former MVP remains the most talented player on every floor he walks on whenever he is physically right, and the level he has shown to be in this series is well beyond what any realistic expectations could have been. Through his first three postseason games, Embiid is averaging 26 points, eight rebounds, and 7.3 assists.

The lightbulb went on in Embiid’s head that no player on this Celtics roster can guard him as he settled in. Neemias Queta, Nikola Vucevic, and Luka Garza each have concerns in this matchup, and Embiid has not been hesitant to attack. The two-time scoring champion has also had success getting these matchups into foul trouble, and this will remain a key point of emphasis.

With this matchup advantage in mind, expect the Sixers to make a clear effort to get the ball to Embiid early to set the tone. Boston has done its best to remain in one-on-one coverage against him, in an effort to keep the structural integrity of their defense. But Embiid has won the battle and forced their hand into sending doubles, in a way that plays to the Sixers’ favor as the games have progressed. The Sixers will focus on forcing these doubles to open up more options, and this requires Embiid going to work early.

Even while being a limited version of himself for much of this season, Embiid finished eighth in the NBA in first-quarter points at 7.9 per game this season. He also led the NBA with 11.4 first-quarter points per game in 2023-24 and ranked second with 10.2 in 2022-23. He has made it a point to attack early throughout his career; expect this to be on display Saturday night. Count on getting Embiid touches to be a point of emphasis for the Sixers and for Embiid to meet the moment with at least eight first-quarter points in Game 7. 

Joel Embiid Over 5.5 Assists (+117)

Once these double teams start coming, count on Embiid to lean on his playmaking ability. This has been an area he has struggled with throughout most of his career, and especially in a playoff setting. However, he has improved greatly in this area as his career has progressed, and this has especially been put on display in this series. 

Through the three games he has played, Embiid is averaging 7.3 assists per game and has tallied six, eight, and eight assists. The Sixers have done an excellent job spacing the floor and cutting off Embiid in the post, and he has shown a willingness to make the right read and kick to open shooters and cutters. 

Boston does not have an answer for Embiid’s size and skill set on their roster. The absence of Jayson Tatum further complicates this, but don’t be shocked if they elect to go small and cut their losses on the lack of production at the big man spot. The Celtics will sleep more easily if they force the other players to beat them outside of the Sixers’ superstar, and this will result in multiple bodies being thrown in his direction to force the ball out of his hands. Count on Embiid to answer this challenge and tally over 5.5 assists for the fourth straight game.