Toronto Raptors vs. Boston Celtics Prediction, NBA Odds

Payton Matthews | Updated Dec 30, 2024

NBA: Atlanta Hawks at Toronto Raptors

The sliding Toronto Raptors play their final game of 2024 on Tuesday, and it’s quite the challenge as they visit the defending NBA champion Boston Celtics.

Toronto
17-37
AT
December 31, 2024, 3:00 PM ET
TD Garden
Boston
38-16
Pointspread +16.5 -105
Moneyline +1000
Over / Under o +231.5
Pointspread -16.5 -115
Moneyline -2000
Over / Under u +231.5

Boston opened as a double-digit favourite on the NBA odds.

Raptors vs. Celtics NBA Betting Odds

It’s going to be a challenge at times betting the Boston Celtics during the regular season as I don’t think they are going to care about some games – it’s all about getting to the postseason healthy as the Celtics attempt to repeat as NBA champions. And they are +240 favourites to do that.

But Boston isn’t winning close to 70 games and probably won’t even finish with the best record in the league with Cleveland and Oklahoma City both ahead of the Celtics currently. You see some occasional disinterest with this club with a few puzzling losses so far, including not long ago at home to Atlanta, which was without star Trae Young, that kept Boston from advancing in the NBA Cup competition.

Tuesday marks the second of four meetings between the teams and already Toronto’s last trip to Boston as it lost there 126-123 in overtime as a 17-point underdog (total was 230.5) on Nov. 16. Celtics All-Star and MVP candidate Jayson Tatum hit a three at the OT buzzer for the win. Scottie Barnes was out then for the Dinos, who were led by Jakob Poeltl’s career game of 35 points and 12 rebounds. RJ Barrett had a triple-double of 25 points, 15 assists and 10 boards. Tatum was an assist shy of a triple-double.

The Celtics are 9-1 SU and 6-4 ATS in the past 10 meetings. The total landed over in just three.

Toronto Raptors

Do you remember Toronto’s final game of 2023? That was on Dec. 30 of last season and the Dinos lost 129-127 in Detroit as the Pistons snapped an NBA record-tying 28-game losing streak. The shoe is on the other foot for the Raptors’ final game of 2024 on Tuesday as they carry a 10-game skid following a 136-107 home loss to Atlanta on Sunday. Toronto had a whopping 31 turnovers, led by a career-high eight from Scottie Barnes. Centre Jakob Poeltl scored 13 points in his return after missing four games because of a strained left groin, and guard Bruce Brown made his season debut off knee surgery and had 12 points in 19 minutes. Brown almost surely will be traded by the upcoming deadline now that he’s healthy. Davion Mitchell was out with an illness, and RJ Barrett will miss Tuesday for the same. There seems to be a bit of a bug going around several NBA locker rooms currently. Barrett leads the team in scoring (23.4 ppg) and assists (6.2 apg). The Raptors are 1-17 SU in their past 18 road games.

Boston Celtics

Boston lost for the fourth time in six games on Sunday, 123-114 at home to Indiana – two nights after the Celtics beat the Pacers by 37 points in the same location. That’s now six losses at home this season for the C’s, tying their total all of last season including playoffs. Starters Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis were out with minor injuries on Sunday and are day-to-day. Want to learn how much different the modern-day NBA is? Boston’s Al Horford, a fine player, moved past the legendary Larry Bird for the seventh-most three-point makes in team history. Horford is not close to Bird as a player. The Celtics are on pace to shatter just about every NBA three-point shooting mark this year as they lead by far in makes (18.4) and attempts (50.7) per game. Boston is 4-12 ATS in its past 16 at home.

NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Raptors vs. Celtics?

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