The Boston Celtics (22-7) and their phenomenal offense will be 6-point favorites when they welcome the Toronto Raptors (21-10) and their tremendous defense. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 216.5 points and it will air on The Sports Network at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 28, 2019.
Toronto Raptors at Boston Celtics Betting Odds
The Celtics come in on a high note after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers in their last matchup, 129-117, as 4-point underdogs. With 34 points on 13-for-20 shooting, Jaylen Brown was the game’s leading scorer. Boston played a nearly flawless game. They had a solid offensive rebounding percentage of 27.3 (above their season average of 23.8) and a turnover percentage of 9.6 (better than their season average of 11.7). For those same stats, Cleveland had marks of 16.2 and 10.1, respectively. The two squads collectively scored 246 points, which was well over the projected point total of 214.5.
The last time the Raptors played it was against the Celtics. In that game, the two teams combined for 220 points, which was over the projected point total of 214.5. The Celtics won 118-102, covering as 4-point underdogs. Boston’s rebounding was their largest strength. The Celtics had 13 offensive rebounds and 45 total rebounds, while the Raptors had seven and 34, respectively. Brown was the game’s leading scorer with 30 points. The Celtics have now emerged victorious in both contests against the Raptors this year.
Just over half of the Raptors’ games have finished over the O/U total. Toronto comes into the contest with records of 21-10 straight up (SU) and 17-14 against the spread (ATS).
Celtics games have typically finished under the O/U total (57.1 percent). Moreover, Boston is 22-7 SU and 18-9-1 ATS.
The Raptors’ Kyle Lowry has been playing at a high level over his last five games, averaging 26 points,9.8 assists,6.4 rebounds per game. Meanwhile, Jayson Tatum has averaged 23 points,7.4 rebounds,3.2 assists during that same time frame for the Celtics.
The game should be a battle of strength against strength as the prolific offense of Boston takes on the elite defense of Toronto. The Celtics rank fourth in offensive efficiency, while the Raptors are second in defensive efficiency.
Raptors at Celtics Pick
Free Prediction: SU Winner – Celtics, ATS Winner – Celtics, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Raptors rank first in fast break points per game (19.1) while the Celtics rank ninth (14.7).
- Boston ranks ninth in rebounds allowed per game (44.2) while Toronto ranks last (48.2).
- The Celtics rank sixth in blocks per game (6.1) while the Raptors rank 21st in blocks allowed per game (5.4).
- Boston averages 13.4 second chance points per game, which ranks 13th in the league. Toronto ranks 28th in second chance points allowed per game (14.7).
- Toronto ranks second in points off turnovers per game (19.7) while Boston ranks 11th (18.0).
- The Celtics rank fifth in assists allowed per game (22.6) while the Raptors rank 25th (25.7).
- The Raptors rank fourth in steals per game (8.5) while the Celtics rank 15th (7.9).
- Boston is third in the league with 42.3 points allowed in the paint per game while Toronto is fourth with 42.7 points allowed in the paint per game.
- Boston ranks 14th in three pointers attempted per game (34.5) while Toronto ranks last in three pointers allowed per game (38.9).
- Toronto is 9-1 when they hold opponents below 100 points, while Boston is 8-1.
- In games where they score more than 100 points, the Raptors are 19-8 and the Celtics are 21-4.
- Boston is 9-4 ATS at home, while Toronto is 7-7 ATS on the road.
- Of the Raptors’ 14 road games, they have 9 unders and 5 overs.
- Of the Celtics’ 13 home games, they have 7 unders and 6 overs.
Bettings Trends:
- The Celtics are 4-1 ATS over their last five games, while the Raptors are 2-3.
- In their last five games, Boston has 3 overs and 2 unders, while Toronto has 4 overs and 1 under.
- The Celtics’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 16.2, up from 8.4 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Raptors have scored an average of 112.2 points per game (0.5 above their season average) and allowed an average of 112.4 points per game (5.6 above their season average).
