The Toronto Raptors and Boston Celtics meet Friday in NBA action at the TD Garden.
Toronto Raptors Betting Preview
The Toronto Raptors beat the Hawks and Hornets, and they play the 76ers next. The Raptors have won 6 of their last 8 games.
The Toronto Raptors are averaging 114.4 points on 47.4 percent shooting and allowing 112.7 points on 46.3 percent shooting. Brandon Ingram is averaging 22.3 points and 6 rebounds, while RJ Barrett is averaging 19.4 points and 5 rebounds. Scottie Barnes is the third double-digit scorer, and Immanuel Quickly is dishing 6.3 assists. The Toronto Raptors are shooting 35.1 percent from beyond the arc and 77.9 percent from the free-throw line. The Toronto Raptors are allowing 34.1 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 43.4 rebounds per game.
Boston Celtics Betting Preview
The Boston Celtics beat the Bulls, lost to the Nuggets, and they play the Spurs next. The Celtics have won 15 of their last 20 games.
The Boston Celtics are averaging 121.4 points on 47.6 percent shooting and allowing 114.1 points on 45.1 percent shooting. Jaylen Brown is averaging 30.1 points and 6.3 rebounds, while Derrick White is averaging 18.7 points and 4.3 rebounds. Payton Pritchard is the third double-digit scorer and Anfernee Simons is grabbing 2.3 rebounds. The Boston Celtics are shooting 36.7 percent from beyond the arc and 79.1 percent from the free throw line. The Boston Celtics are allowing 37 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 45.1 rebounds per game.
Why the Boston Celtics will win
- The Celtics have won each of their last 10 games on the first leg of a back-to-back after losing as favorites.
- The Raptors have lost each of their last nine games at TD Garden following a win.
- The Celtics have covered the spread in each of their last seven games against Raptors teams that held a winning record.
- The Raptors have failed to cover the spread in each of their last six games against Atlantic Division opponents.
Why the Toronto Raptors will win
- The Raptors have won each of their last four games as underdogs.
- The Celtics have lost four of their last five games as home favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The Raptors have covered the spread in each of their last four games as underdogs.
- The Celtics have failed to cover the spread in five of their last six games as home favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Raptors’ last seven night games against Atlantic Division opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Six of the Celtics’ last seven night games against Atlantic Division opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.
Boston Celtics Player Facts
- Payton Pritchard has recorded eight games with 4+ assists and zero turnovers this season – equal-most of any player in the league.
- Neemias Queta ranks 1st in the Eastern Conference amongst qualified players for FG% (65.1%) this season.
Toronto Raptors Player Facts
- Immanuel Quickley ranks T8th in the league for fast break points (131) this season.
- RJ Barrett is one of only 14 qualified Guards in the league shooting at least 50% from the field this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Celtics rank 1st in the league for opponent steals per game this season (5.5).
- The Celtics rank 1st in the league for turnovers per game this season (12.0).
- The Raptors rank 1st in the league for Q3 win percentage this season (65.8%).
- The Raptors rank 1st for fast break points (736) this season.
Celtics vs Raptors Injury Report
The Celtics will be without Jayson Tatum and Josh Minott.
Jakob Poeltl is out for the Raptors. Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram are questionable.
Celtics vs Raptors Prediction
The Celtics are winning and covering numbers, but they’re also coming off an ugly loss to the skeleton crew that is the Nuggets. The Raptors have been sneaky good this season, winning 23 games, cashing 19 tickets, and they have 11 road wins.
The underdog has also covered 7 of the last 9 games between the Raptors and Celtics. I’d love to know the status of Ingram and Barnes before betting this, so check the injury reports before betting. Still, this feels like too many points and there’s a history of close games when these teams clash. Give me the points with the Raptors.