The Boston Celtics (20-7) travel to Toronto to take on the Raptors (21-9) in a matchup that pits phenomenal offense against stifling defense. The game will air on ESPN at 12 p.m. ET on Wednesday, December 25, 2019.
Boston Celtics vs. Toronto Raptors ATS Prediction
The Celtics come in on a high note after comfortably covering the 12.5-point spread against the Charlotte Hornets in their last contest, 119-93. The combined points for the game (212) came in just over the O/U total of 209. Boston won the rebounding battle. The Celtics had more offensive rebounds (10 vs. two), defensive rebounds (47 vs. 25) and total rebounds (57 vs. 27). Boston received a boost from Jayson Tatum, who was the top scorer from either team with 39 points on 15-for-29 shooting.
In the Raptors’ previous outing, they lost to the Indiana Pacers, 120-115. They were unable to cover as 3.5-point underdogs. The total points for the game (235) were well over the projected point total of 210.5. Indiana’s turnover percentage was the team’s largest strength over Toronto. The Pacers posted a mark of 9.6 (stronger than their season average of 11.7), while the Raptors had a rate of 11.8. With 30 points on 10-for-21 shooting, Kyle Lowry was the game’s leading scorer.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. Lowry put up 29 points and seven assists in the first game, in which the Raptors lost 112-106, unable to cover as 2.5-point underdogs. The game finished with a total of 218 points, which was just 5 points above the projected point total of 213 points. The Celtics’ 7.2 turnover percentage was their largest strength over the Raptors, who had a rate of 21.2.
This matchup figures to be low-scoring as two of the NBA’s top defenses go head-to-head. Toronto currently ranks second in defensive efficiency (102.2) and Boston is third (102.4). Also, the Celtics commit the fifth-fewest errors in the league (turnover percentage of 12.8 percent), while the pesky defense of the Raptors causes the fourth-most (opponents’ turnover percentage of 14.9 percent).
Boston Celtics at Toronto Raptors Odds Pick
Free Pick: ATS Winner – Celtics, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
Boston is 8-5-1 ATS on the road with 9 unders and 5 overs.
Toronto is 10-6 ATS at home with 11 overs and 5 unders.
When holding opponents under 100 points, Boston is 8-1 and Toronto is 9-1.
The Celtics are 19-4 when they score above 100 points, while the Raptors are 19-7.
Boston ranks ninth in rebounds per game (46.1) while Toronto ranks last in rebounds allowed per game (48.3).
The Celtics rank sixth in assists allowed per game (22.9) while the Raptors rank 26th (25.7).
Toronto averages 35.9 three pointers per game, which ranks seventh in the league. Boston ranks 25th in three pointers allowed per game (34.9).
The Celtics average 6.1 blocks per game, which ranks sixth in the NBA. The Raptors rank 21st in blocks allowed per game (5.5).
Toronto ranks first in fast break points per game (19.3) while Boston ranks ninth (14.4).
The Raptors rank second in points off turnovers per game (19.7) while the Celtics rank ninth (18.1).
Boston ranks 19th in second chance points per game (12.9) while Toronto ranks 24th in second chance points allowed per game (14.4).
The Celtics allow the fewest steals per game (6.3) while the Raptors rank second (6.7).
Boston is second in the NBA with 41.3 points allowed in the paint per game while Toronto is third with 42.4 points allowed in the paint per game.
In its last five games, Boston is 3-2 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Toronto is 3-2 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders over its last five games.
The Celtics’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 8.4, up from 8.0 for the season.
During their last five games, the Raptors have scored an average of 118.4 points per game (6.3 above their season average) and allowed an average of 111.4 points per game (5.0 above their season average).
