Toronto Raptors at Boston Celtics odds, picks and prediction
The Toronto Raptors (12-13) wrap up a six-game road trip with a Thursday game against the Boston Celtics (12-11) at TD Garden. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze the Raptors-Celtics NBA odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
The Raptors crushed the Washington Wizards 137-115 Wednesday. They jumped out to a 40-28 lead after 12 minutes and won the fourth quarter 34-22 to easily cover a 5.5-point spread as favorites. It was Toronto's fifth win in its last six games and it covered the spread in each victory while playing to the Over in seven straight games.
The Celtics are coming off back-to-back losses to the Phoenix Suns (100-91) and Utah Jazz (122-108) Sunday and Tuesday, respectively. They just finished a five-game road trip of their own and will play their first home game since Jan. 30 - a 96-95 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Raptors at Celtics: Odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports' betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:55 a.m. ET.
- Money line : Raptors +145 (bet $100 to win $145) | Celtics -175 (bet $175 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS : Raptors +3.5 (-105) | Celtics -3.5 (-115)
- Over/Under : 222.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Raptors at Celtics: Key injuries
Raptors
- SF OG Anunoby (calf) questionable
- PF Yuta Watanabe (ankle) questionable
Celtics
- SG Marcus Smart (calf) out
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Raptors at Celtics: Odds, lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Celtics 113, Raptors 107
Money line (ML)
The Celtics (-175) should win this game but PASS on the pricey money line. There's too much risk for too little reward against a Raptors team playing its best basketball of the season. Toronto is third in the NBA in net rating (9.6) over its last five games, all on the road.
Boston has dropped three of four and five of seven and has a net rating of minus-3.8 over the seven-game window; however, the Celtics are returning home and have the rest advantage over the Raps. Toronto is 0-4 straight up with a rest disadvantage and 0-3 on the second half of a back-to-back.
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Against the spread (ATS)
The CELTICS -3.5 (-115) should be backed to win by at least 4 points for a more worthwhile return on investment.
The Raptors are third in the league in 3-point attempts per game (41.3) and fifth in 3-point percentage (39.1%) but the Celtics allow the seventh-fewest attempts (32.9) and eighth-lowest success rate (36.1%) from behind the arc.
Both teams are in the bottom six in total rebounding but the Celtics give up the seventh-fewest rebounds per game (42.7) to the Raptors' 44.9 opponent rebounds per game.
The Atlantic Division rivals met Jan. 4 in Toronto's 2020-21 home of Amalie Arena in Tampa, Fla., and the C's came away with a 126-114 victory as 6.5-point underdogs.
Over/Under (O/U)
Back the UNDER 222.5 (-110). As noted above, the Raptors have been on a run of Overs but the Celtics have the best defense they've faced with just 109.8 points allowed per game.
A cold night beyond the 3-point arc could quickly lower Toronto's offensive output.
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Also see:
- Celtics gearing up to make big trade? (Celtics Wire)
- 22 expiring contracts who could be available for trade (Hoops Hype)
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