The Boston Celtics are ready to begin their ascent up the Eastern Conference standings – and earning a home victory Wednesday night against the Toronto Raptors would be a sensational place to start.
The Celtics have hit a new low as they come in on a three-game losing skid that has them firmly entrenched in fifth place in the East. But Kyrie Irving will return from injury, making Boston a slight favourite against the league-leading Raptors.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 16 Jan 3:19pm | TOR | -2 -110 | O +223.5 -110 |
| Closing 16 Jan 11:47pm | TOR | -3 -110 | O +223 -110 |
Bettors will undoubtedly like the home side in this one, especially with such a narrow spread between the teams. While the Raptors are the class of the NBA at 33-12, the home team has covered seven consecutive meetings between the teams, while Toronto is a dismal 5-13-1 ATS in its past 19 visits to TD Garden. The Raptors have been an even worse cover option on the road in general, having gone 1-7 ATS in its last eight away from Scotiabank Arena.
While there are no predominant totals trends between the teams, both sides have been terrific over options heading into Wednesday’s marquee matchup. The Raptors come in having gone 6-1 O/U in their past seven games while converting the over in four straight road games vs. teams with winning home records. Boston is 8-3 to the over in its previous 11 vs. Eastern Conference opponents, and 17-7 O/U in its last 24 games overall.
Toronto Raptors
Toronto’s depth could come under fire in this one, with two key players out and two others considered questionable. Jonas Valanciunas remains sidelined with a broken thumb while O.G. Anunoby – widely considered Toronto’s second-best defender – will miss the game due to personal reasons. Backup point guard Fred VanVleet and swingman C.J. Miles are listed as questionable, though stars Kawhi Leonard and Kyle Lowry are expected to play.
Boston Celtics
Rediscovering its offensive spark is paramount for Boston if it has any hope of challenging Toronto, Milwaukee, Indiana or Philadelphia for Eastern Conference supremacy. The Celtics have scored an average of 101.3 points over the course of their three-game skid, which comes on the heels of an incredible 135-point showing in a win over the Pacers. Boston still ranks in the top 10 in field-goal shooting for the month at 47.4 percent.
Injuries
Fred VanVleet (PG)
Patrick McCaw (SG)
Pascal Siakam (PF)
Jeremy Lin (PG)
Chris Boucher (PF)
Chris Boucher (PF)
Serge Ibaka (C)
Danny Green (SG)
Danny Green (SG)
Patrick McCaw (SG)
Aron Baynes (C)
Guerschon Yabusele (PF)
Al Horford (C)
Jaylen Brown (SG)
Aron Baynes (C)
Jaylen Brown (SG)
Gordon Hayward (SF)
Al Horford (C)
Marcus Morris (PF)
Daniel Theis (PF)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fred VanVleet (PG) | Prob Mon | Face - 08 / 06 / 19 | 2-0 | 1-2 | + - |
|
VanVleet sustained a facial laceration and chipped tooth in the previous game but is expected to suit up for Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Warriors. |
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| Patrick McCaw (SG) | Prob Thurs | Personal - 15 / 05 / 19 | 7-4 | 6-6 | + - |
|
McCaw has been tending to a personal matter, but he is likely to return for Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Warriors. |
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| Pascal Siakam (PF) | Prob Sun | Calf - 04 / 05 / 19 | 9-6 | 8-8 | + - |
|
Siakam is expected to play in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference second round against the 76ers despite a right calf contusion. |
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| Jeremy Lin (PG) | Prob Tues | Back - 02 / 05 / 19 | 9-7 | 8-9 | + - |
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Lin is battling back spasms but is expected to suit up against the 76ers in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference second round. |
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| Chris Boucher (PF) | Prob Wed | Back - 01 / 05 / 19 | 9-7 | 8-9 | + - |
|
Boucher is dealing with back spasms but it is likely he will play in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Bucks. |
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| Chris Boucher (PF) | Ques Mon | Back - 18 / 04 / 19 | 13-8 | 9-13 | + - |
|
Boucher is dealing with back spasms and it is unclear if he will be available for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference second round against the 76ers. |
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| Serge Ibaka (C) | Out Tues | Rest - 09 / 04 / 19 | 15-9 | 10-15 | + - |
|
Ibaka will not suit up against the Timberwolves on Tuesday as he is to be rested. |
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| Danny Green (SG) | Prob Tues | Ankle - 07 / 04 / 19 | 15-10 | 10-15-1 | + - |
|
Green tweaked his ankle in the last game but it is anticipated that he will play against the Timberwolves on Tuesday. |
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| Danny Green (SG) | Prob Wed | Thumb - 01 / 04 / 19 | 18-10 | 12-16-1 | + - |
|
Green jammed his left thumb during the last game but it is unlikely to deter him from being available against the Nets on Wednesday. |
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| Patrick McCaw (SG) | Prob Fri | Thumb - 30 / 03 / 19 | 19-10 | 12-17-1 | + - |
|
McCaw has been debilitated with a sprained right thumb but will likely return to action against the Magic in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
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| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aron Baynes (C) | Prob Tues | Ankle - 28 / 04 / 19 | 2-3 | 3-2 | + - |
|
Baynes sprained his left ankle, but it is expected he will play in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference second round versus the Bucks. |
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| Guerschon Yabusele (PF) | Ques Sun | Back - 20 / 04 / 19 | 3-3 | 3-4 | + - |
|
Yabusele is dealing with lower-back soreness and it is uncertain if he will be available for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference second round against the Bucks. |
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| Al Horford (C) | Prob Wed | Illness - 17 / 04 / 19 | 4-3 | 3-5 | + - |
|
Horford is battling an illness but is expected to be available for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round against the Pacers. |
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| Jaylen Brown (SG) | Prob Sun | Back - 13 / 04 / 19 | 5-3 | 4-5 | + - |
|
Brown is experiencing lower-back spasms but is expected to take the court against the Pacers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
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| Aron Baynes (C) | Ques Sun | Ankle - 08 / 04 / 19 | 5-4 | 5-5 | + - |
|
Baynes sat out the last game with left ankle soreness and it has yet to be determined if he will play against the Pacers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
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| Jaylen Brown (SG) | Prob Tues | Back - 08 / 04 / 19 | 5-4 | 5-5 | + - |
|
Brown is expected to participate in Tuesday's clash with the Wizards despite lower-back spasms. |
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| Gordon Hayward (SF) | Prob Sun | Ankle - 08 / 04 / 19 | 5-4 | 5-5 | + - |
|
Hayward missed the previous game with soreness in his left ankle but it is likely he will take part in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round against the Pacers. |
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| Al Horford (C) | Prob Sun | Knee - 08 / 04 / 19 | 5-4 | 5-5 | + - |
|
Horford was unavailable for the last game due to soreness in his left knee but it is expected he will take the court against the Pacers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
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| Marcus Morris (PF) | Ques Sun | Knee - 08 / 04 / 19 | 5-4 | 5-5 | + - |
|
Morris was held out of the previous game with a right patellar tendinopathy and it is uncertain if he will be available against the Pacers for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
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| Daniel Theis (PF) | Prob Tues | Foot - 08 / 04 / 19 | 5-4 | 5-5 | + - |
|
Theis is saddled with right foot soreness but it is expected he will face the Wizards on Tuesday. |
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Raptors vs. Celtics Prediction
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Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 16 Jan 3:19pm TOR -2 -110 O +223.5 -110 Closing 16 Jan 11:47pm TOR -3 -110 O +223 -110 -
Injuries
Fred VanVleet (PG)
Prob Mon Face - 08 / 06 / 19Patrick McCaw (SG)
Prob Thurs Personal - 15 / 05 / 19Pascal Siakam (PF)
Prob Sun Calf - 04 / 05 / 19Jeremy Lin (PG)
Prob Tues Back - 02 / 05 / 19Chris Boucher (PF)
Prob Wed Back - 01 / 05 / 19Chris Boucher (PF)
Ques Mon Back - 18 / 04 / 19Serge Ibaka (C)
Out Tues Rest - 09 / 04 / 19Danny Green (SG)
Prob Tues Ankle - 07 / 04 / 19Danny Green (SG)
Prob Wed Thumb - 01 / 04 / 19Patrick McCaw (SG)
Prob Fri Thumb - 30 / 03 / 19Aron Baynes (C)
Prob Tues Ankle - 28 / 04 / 19Guerschon Yabusele (PF)
Ques Sun Back - 20 / 04 / 19Al Horford (C)
Prob Wed Illness - 17 / 04 / 19Jaylen Brown (SG)
Prob Sun Back - 13 / 04 / 19Aron Baynes (C)
Ques Sun Ankle - 08 / 04 / 19Jaylen Brown (SG)
Prob Tues Back - 08 / 04 / 19Gordon Hayward (SF)
Prob Sun Ankle - 08 / 04 / 19Al Horford (C)
Prob Sun Knee - 08 / 04 / 19Marcus Morris (PF)
Ques Sun Knee - 08 / 04 / 19Daniel Theis (PF)
Prob Tues Foot - 08 / 04 / 19Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Fred VanVleet (PG) Prob Mon Face - 08 / 06 / 19 2-0 1-2 + - VanVleet sustained a facial laceration and chipped tooth in the previous game but is expected to suit up for Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Warriors.
Patrick McCaw (SG) Prob Thurs Personal - 15 / 05 / 19 7-4 6-6 + - McCaw has been tending to a personal matter, but he is likely to return for Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Warriors.
Pascal Siakam (PF) Prob Sun Calf - 04 / 05 / 19 9-6 8-8 + - Siakam is expected to play in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference second round against the 76ers despite a right calf contusion.
Jeremy Lin (PG) Prob Tues Back - 02 / 05 / 19 9-7 8-9 + - Lin is battling back spasms but is expected to suit up against the 76ers in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference second round.
Chris Boucher (PF) Prob Wed Back - 01 / 05 / 19 9-7 8-9 + - Boucher is dealing with back spasms but it is likely he will play in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Bucks.
Chris Boucher (PF) Ques Mon Back - 18 / 04 / 19 13-8 9-13 + - Boucher is dealing with back spasms and it is unclear if he will be available for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference second round against the 76ers.
Serge Ibaka (C) Out Tues Rest - 09 / 04 / 19 15-9 10-15 + - Ibaka will not suit up against the Timberwolves on Tuesday as he is to be rested.
Danny Green (SG) Prob Tues Ankle - 07 / 04 / 19 15-10 10-15-1 + - Green tweaked his ankle in the last game but it is anticipated that he will play against the Timberwolves on Tuesday.
Danny Green (SG) Prob Wed Thumb - 01 / 04 / 19 18-10 12-16-1 + - Green jammed his left thumb during the last game but it is unlikely to deter him from being available against the Nets on Wednesday.
Patrick McCaw (SG) Prob Fri Thumb - 30 / 03 / 19 19-10 12-17-1 + - McCaw has been debilitated with a sprained right thumb but will likely return to action against the Magic in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Aron Baynes (C) Prob Tues Ankle - 28 / 04 / 19 2-3 3-2 + - Baynes sprained his left ankle, but it is expected he will play in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference second round versus the Bucks.
Guerschon Yabusele (PF) Ques Sun Back - 20 / 04 / 19 3-3 3-4 + - Yabusele is dealing with lower-back soreness and it is uncertain if he will be available for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference second round against the Bucks.
Al Horford (C) Prob Wed Illness - 17 / 04 / 19 4-3 3-5 + - Horford is battling an illness but is expected to be available for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round against the Pacers.
Jaylen Brown (SG) Prob Sun Back - 13 / 04 / 19 5-3 4-5 + - Brown is experiencing lower-back spasms but is expected to take the court against the Pacers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Aron Baynes (C) Ques Sun Ankle - 08 / 04 / 19 5-4 5-5 + - Baynes sat out the last game with left ankle soreness and it has yet to be determined if he will play against the Pacers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Jaylen Brown (SG) Prob Tues Back - 08 / 04 / 19 5-4 5-5 + - Brown is expected to participate in Tuesday's clash with the Wizards despite lower-back spasms.
Gordon Hayward (SF) Prob Sun Ankle - 08 / 04 / 19 5-4 5-5 + - Hayward missed the previous game with soreness in his left ankle but it is likely he will take part in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round against the Pacers.
Al Horford (C) Prob Sun Knee - 08 / 04 / 19 5-4 5-5 + - Horford was unavailable for the last game due to soreness in his left knee but it is expected he will take the court against the Pacers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Marcus Morris (PF) Ques Sun Knee - 08 / 04 / 19 5-4 5-5 + - Morris was held out of the previous game with a right patellar tendinopathy and it is uncertain if he will be available against the Pacers for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Daniel Theis (PF) Prob Tues Foot - 08 / 04 / 19 5-4 5-5 + - Theis is saddled with right foot soreness but it is expected he will face the Wizards on Tuesday.