The Toronto Raptors (0-1) drop by TD Garden Friday for a 7:30 p.m. ET game against the Boston Celtics (0-1). Below, we look at the Raptors vs. Celtics odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
Toronto got clubbed by the Washington Wizards 98-83 in its season opener as a 2.5-point home favorite. The Raptors held the Wizards to just 19% from behind the arc but were outscored 56-40 in the paint.
Boston lost a thrilling double-overtime game 138-134 at the New York Knicks Wednesday. Guard Jaylen Brown scored 46 points on 16-for-30 shooting with 9 rebounds and 6 assists. Like Toronto, Boston lost its season opener because New York outscored the Celtics 60-42 in the paint.
Boston beat Toronto in all three regular-season meetings last year (2-1 against the spread). Forward Jayson Tatum had his way with the Raptors last season, averaging 28.0 points per game on 70.3% true shooting (.532/.529/.862) with 8.0 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game.
Raptors at Celtics odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 2:10 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Raptors +220 (bet $100 to win $220) | Celtics -280 (bet $280 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Raptors +6.5 (-110) | Celtics -6.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 218.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)
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Raptors at Celtics key injuries
Raptors
- PF Pascal Siakam (shoulder) out
Celtics
- SG Josh Richardson (head) probable
- PG Marcus Smart (knee) probable
- C Al Horford (reconditioning) questionable
Raptors at Celtics odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Celtics 112, Raptors 102
Money line
PASS because Boston is the right side in this game but the Celtics (-220) is a little out of my price range for most favorites in NBA regular-season action.
Against the spread
BET the CELTICS -6.5 (-110) for 1 unit because I’m much lower on Toronto’s roster this season than Boston’s and I expect a bounce-back game from Tatum after a rough opening night.
Tatum crushed the Raptors last season and Toronto’s wing defense has to be weakened with Siakam out of the lineup. Tatum was 7-of-30 against the Knicks Thursday and missed a whole bunch of shots he usually makes.
I have more faith in Boston’s ability to play interior defense than Toronto’s. The Celtics have a quality rim protector in C Robert Williams and should be getting Horford back Friday.
VanVleet being the focal point of Toronto’s offense is concerning for the long term and in this matchup. Celtics guard Marcus Smart has defended VanVleet well when they’ve met.
VanVleet is scoring just 7.7 points per game on 23.9% field goal shooting (25.0% 3-point shooting) against Smart in their six meetings.
Over/Under
“LEAN” to the UNDER 218.5 (-112) for a half unit because this is a “Pros vs. Joe’s” game with the presumed sharp money backing the Under but the public is betting the Over according to Pregame.com at the time of publishing.
Typically, it’s wise in sports betting to follow the money especially when it’s flowing in the opposite direction as the public.
Toronto scored just 83 points against a Washington team who’s been terrible defensively for the past few seasons and is incorporating new players into its scheme.
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