The Boston Celtics (10-10) travel to Scotiabank Arena Sunday to take on the Toronto Raptors (9-11). Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Celtics at Raptors odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
The Celtics were on a three-game winning streak until that was snapped in Brooklyn the other night.
They coupled that with a loss to San Antonio and are now back to .500. Led by All-Star forward Jayson Tatum, the Celtics have the 14th-best net rating and are one of the 17 teams with a positive net rating.
The Raptors are not in the same boat, but All-Star forward Pascal Siakam has returned and rookie wing Scottie Barnes has played surprisingly well.
Those two should match up well against Boston’s wings, but this will be a tough game for Toronto if OG Anunoby isn’t active. Anunoby hasn’t played since Nov. 15. The Celtics are 11-9 against the spread (ATS) and the Raptors are 8-12 ATS,
Celtics at Raptors odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:45 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Celtics -105 (bet $105 to win $100) | Raptors -115 (bet $115 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Celtics +1.5 (-115) | Raptors -1.5 (-107)
- Over/Under (O/U): 209.5 (O: -107 | U: -115)
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Celtics at Raptors key injuries
Celtics
- PG Dennis Schroder (ankle) out
- F Robert Williams III (illness) out
- F Jaylen Brown (rest) questionable
Home
- F OG Anunoby (hip) questionable
- G Gary Trent Jr. (calf) questionable
Celtics at Raptors odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Celtics 112, Raptors 108
Money line
BET on the CELTICS (-105) as they may be getting Jaylen Brown back. It feels like Trent Jr. and Anunoby are more doubtful in this one than Brown.
Brown is a legitimate superstar when at full strength, and it would be shocking not to see him suit up. The Raptors have been awful at home. They’re just 2-6 at home this season. They have the 27th-best home net rating.
Along those lines, Toronto has the second-worst home defensive rating. The energy just isn’t there, and it’ll be exposed by Tatum, who is averaging more than 25 points per game this season.
I expect him to have a good game against a poor defense.
Celtics guard Marcus Smart is capable of slowing down Fred VanVleet and Boston’s defense should be able to limit Toronto’s backcourt.
Against the spread
PASS.
The value in this prediction, and really in this game in general, is on the money line. The 1.5-point spread, for either side, doesn’t do much to strengthen the value of the play.
Over/Under
BET OVER 209.5 (-107). As noted, the Raptors have one of the worst defenses in the NBA and really have poor interior strength, which Al Horford should be able to abuse. The Raptors are 12-8 O/U
The Celtics should get everything they want offensively, and I’d be shocked if both teams don’t drop a ton of points in this one.
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