The NBA’s Christmas five-pack tips off in Toronto when the defending champion Raptors host the Celtics Wednesday morning/afternoon. Both these teams are playing some good ball as of late, but while Boston might get a key player back for this game, Toronto is missing one. Who do we like here for our free NBA pick?
NBA Betting Odds
The NBA betting market opened Boston at -2 for this game, with an over/under of right around 213.5. Both those figures were holding steady in the early betting action.
Celtics vs. Raptors NBA Betting Preview
Boston is 7-2 both SU and ATS over its last nine games, after beating Charlotte Sunday 119-93, covering at -13. The Celtics trailed the Hornets by eight points in the second quarter but led by three at the half. They then only led by seven through three quarters but pulled away from there for the win and the money.
On the night, Boston shot a hot 52 percent from the field, held Charlotte to just 40 percent FG shooting and won the battle on the glass 66-34.
Last Friday, the Celtics also shot 52 percent from the floor in defeating Detroit 114-93, covering at -9.
At 20-7 overall, Boston is well above pace to play over its season win total of 48.5. The Celtics also own the No. 2 seed in the East at the moment, but they’re only one game ahead of sixth-seeded Indiana.
Toronto, meanwhile, just had a five-game winning streak snapped by a 120-115 overtime loss to those Pacers Monday night. The Raptors trailed Indiana by 14 in the third quarter, rallied to lead by five with seven minutes left, but allowed the Pacers to force OT and lost in the extra time.
On the night, Toronto only made 11 of 40 shots from beyond the arc.
Sunday night, the Raptors rallied from 30 points down to beat Dallas 110-107.
At 21-9 overall, Toronto is also ahead of pace to play over its wins total of 46.5. The Raptors own the four seed in the East at the moment, only a half-game behind second-seeded Boston but also only a half-game ahead of sixth-seeded Indiana.
On the injury front, Toronto is playing without F Pascal Siakam (25 points, eight rebounds per game this season), who tweaked a groin last week. The Raptors are 2-1 both SU and ATS since he went out, but those victories came over a bad Washington team and a Mavericks outfit playing without Luka Doncic.
Meanwhile, Boston F Gordon Hayward has missed recent action with a sore toe/foot but is listed as probable for this game.
Celtics-Raptors Recent History
These two teams split four meetings last season, but Toronto had Kawhi Leonard; he’s now a Clipper. Boston then won the first meeting between these teams this season back in October at TD Garden 112-106, covering as a three-point favorite. Toronto actually led that game by seven points with just under ten minutes to go, but the Celtics out-scored the Raptors 30-17 from there for the victory.
On the night, Toronto shot 47 percent from the floor, while holding Boston to just 39 percent FG shooting. But the Celtics out-rebounded the Raptors 56-46 and won the turnover battle 23-9.
Siakam tossed in a game-high 33 points for Toronto that night. He won’t toss in anything Wednesday.
Also, that game played over a total of 213.5, which happens to be the exact total for Wednesday’s game.
NBA Betting Trends
- Boston is 8-6 SU, 8-5-1 ATS on the road this season.
- Toronto is 13-3 SU, 11-5 ATS at home this season.
- Boston is 7-6 SU, 9-4 ATS this season vs. teams with winning records right now.
- Toronto is 5-9 SU, 6-8 ATS vs. teams with winning records right now.
- Boston is 5-3 ATS this season when favored by five points or less.
- The home team is 10-0, both SU and ATS over the last ten meetings in the series between these two teams.
Totals Report
- Unders are 16-11 in Celtics games this season, which are averaging 214 total points.
- Overs are 15-14 in Raptors games this season, which are averaging 219 points.
- Overs are 4-1 over the last five meetings between these two teams,
- Get more details: Celtics at Raptors NBA Match up
