In what should be considered their first true test since the all-star break, the Toronto Raptors will look to make a statement against a divisional rival with the Boston Celtics knocking at their door. The Raptors are coming off an ugly home loss to the Magic while the Celtics said: “Hold my beer” and dropped two road games in the Midwest to the Bucks and Bulls. Based on past results, the Raptors should feel comfortable hosting the C’s as they’ve won seven straight at home vs Boston dating back to 2015.
The Raptors opened as 5-point favorites (since moved to -4) with a total of 225.5.
Celtics vs Raptors Game Center
STANDOUT STATS
- The Raptors are 9-1 SU and 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games when hosting the Celtics and are 6-0 SU and 5-1 ATS vs Atlantic Division teams.
- The Celtics have lost 15 road games this year after only losing 13 all of last season.
- The Celtics are averaging 35.1 percent from beyond the arc in road games (ranked fifth).
- The Raptors have failed to cover the spread in their last five games, including four games at home.
- In three games between these teams this season, the OVER has hit in each game and the average combined score was 226.1.
- The Celtics’ defense ranks in the top five in opponent field-goal percentage, three-point percentage and points allowed per game this season.
My Best Bet For Celtics-Raptors
Celtics Moneyline
I know I’ll probably take some crap for this pick because of how the stats/trends lean to the Raptors, but I think the spread is so low that if I thought the Celtics were going to cover, I might as well just take them on the moneyline. I think the Celtics are a dangerous team that can shock people because they lull you to sleep by dropping winnable games to chumpy teams like Miami or Chicago and then go into Philadelphia WITHOUT Kyrie Irving and dominate the Sixers.
I also think the Raptors will need to hit shots because in their two losses to the Celts this year, they shot under 45 percent from the field and a combined 15-for-58 from beyond the arc (25.8 percent). The Celtics’ defense is one of the best in the league and I think Boston can win outright if the Raps’ shots aren’t falling. Take the +4 if you want to be safe but I’m going after the value.
