Raptors vs. Celtics Prediction: NBA Odds, Point Spread
Boston is 3.5-point favourite on the NBA odds.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Not only are the Raptors playing their second game in 24 hours Thursday, but it’s the conclusion of a six-game road trip. Those are frankly ideal conditions to bet against Toronto here. The Dinos will return to Boston on March 4, the final game for both teams in the first half of the schedule. It’s possible that will wrap up the season series as the second-half scheduling format is TBA.
On Jan. 4, Toronto was a 6.5-point home favourite in Tampa, Fla. and lost 126-114. The second quarter was the difference as the Celtics outscored the Raptors 38-14. Jayson Tatum had a game-high 40 points for Boston and rookie Payton Pritchard had 23 off the bench. The Celtics were such big underdogs because starting guards Kemba Walker and Marcus Smart (he’s still out currently) and top reserve guard Jeff Teague were all out.
Fred VanVleet led Toronto with 35 points, while Pascal Siakam had 22 points. However, the Raptors’ bench was hugely outplayed by their Celtics’ counterparts.
The Raptors were 1-1 in Boston last regular season but had been swept there the previous two years. The Celtics are 7-2 ATS in the past nine meetings.
Toronto Raptors
Toronto took advantage of a horrible Wizards defence on Wednesday for a 137-115 victory. The Raptors were a stellar 19-for-32 from deep as the Dinos won for the eighth straight time in the series. They had seven players score in double figures, led by Norman Powell with 28, Siakam with 26 and Kyle Lowry with 21. Chris Boucher had a 17-point, 16-rebound double-double. Seldom-used reserve Deandre Bembry had 10 points, three rebounds and three assists.
OG Anunoby missed an eighth in a row with a left calf strain but at least was listed as questionable for a while, so it’s not out of the question he returns Thursday. The Raptors are 4-9 ATS in their past 13 following an ATS win.
Boston Celtics
Boston finished 2-3 on a five-game West Coast trip following Tuesday’s 122-108 loss at a very good Utah team. Jaylen Brown, having a breakout season in averaging 26.7 points and a sure-fire first-time All-Star, returned from a two-game injury absence and had 33 points, but the Celtics seemed to run out of gas in the second half – that will happen at the end of a long trip.
Boston does have a Kemba Walker problem as he’s playing on a huge contract and nowhere near his former All-Star self. He had just seven points on 2-for-12 shooting Tuesday and is averaging 15.0 points (lowest since rookie season) and 4.3 assists (career low). Canadian Tristan Thompson is having a solid season in averaging 7.0 points and 8.4 rebounds. He starts but only gets around 23 minutes per game. Boston is 4-1 ATS in its past five after a loss.
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