Boston Celtics at Toronto Raptors Betting Pick & Preview 12/25/19
Updated October 26, 2026
Updated October 26, 2026
Historical betting preview updated with the final score, game statistics, and results of the original ATS.io picks.
The Boston Celtics entered Christmas Day 2019 with a 20–7 record and one of the NBA's strongest defenses. Waiting in Toronto were the defending champion Raptors, who had built a 21–9 record despite losing Kawhi Leonard during the offseason. Both teams ranked among the league's defensive leaders, setting up an intriguing Eastern Conference matchup.
The original ATS.io prediction backed Boston against the spread and Over the game total. Both selections won, as the Celtics defeated Toronto 118–102 behind 30 points from Jaylen Brown.
Below, we revisit the original betting analysis, examine the decisive matchups, and explain how Boston delivered a convincing Christmas Day victory. For upcoming games, visit our NBA picks and predictions.
Game details | Information |
|---|---|
Matchup | Boston Celtics at Toronto Raptors |
Date | Wednesday, December 25, 2019 |
Tipoff | 12:00 PM ET |
Venue | Scotiabank Arena, Toronto |
TV | ESPN |
Boston's record before tipoff | 20–7 |
Toronto's record before tipoff | 21–9 |
Historical spread | Boston -2.5 to -3.5 |
Historical Over/Under | 213.5 |
Original ATS.io spread pick | Boston Celtics ATS |
Original ATS.io total pick | Over |
Final score | Celtics 118, Raptors 102 |
Combined points | 220 |
Betting results | Celtics ATS won, Over won |
The original archived preview specified the Celtics ATS and Over selections but did not give exact lines for either pick. The spread range and total above reflect contemporary betting reports and are included to evaluate the historical results.
Boston arrived in Toronto riding a three-game winning streak. The Celtics had just beaten Charlotte 119–93, with Jayson Tatum scoring 39 points and Boston dominating the boards 57–27.
Toronto's most recent result was a 120–115 overtime loss to Indiana. Kyle Lowry scored 30 points, but the Raptors couldn't contain the Pacers when it mattered.
The teams had already met once that season, with Boston winning 112–106. That October matchup produced 218 combined points, clearing the listed total of 213.
For the Christmas Day rematch, the original ATS.io selections were:
Free Pick: Boston Celtics ATS
Free Pick: Over the game total
The recommendations were particularly interesting given the teams' defensive rankings. Toronto entered second in defensive efficiency at 102.2, while Boston ranked third at 102.4.
A matchup between two elite defenses might ordinarily point toward a lower-scoring game. But Toronto's injuries, Boston's offensive balance, and both teams' ability to generate extra possessions created a different betting picture.
The Celtics had been one of the Eastern Conference's most consistent teams through the opening two months.
Kemba Walker provided reliable scoring and playmaking, while Tatum and Brown gave Boston two athletic wings capable of creating their own shots.
Gordon Hayward added another offensive option.
Boston also had an important advantage in ball security. The Celtics entered with the league's fifth-lowest turnover percentage at 12.8%.
That mattered against Toronto, whose aggressive defense forced turnovers on 14.9% of opponents' possessions, the fourth-highest rate in the NBA.
The Raptors relied heavily on those mistakes to generate transition scoring.
Boston's ability to protect the ball and execute in the half court offered a way to limit Toronto's most dangerous offensive weapon.
Despite the defensive rankings, both teams were capable of putting up points.
Toronto averaged 19.3 fast-break points per game, the highest figure in the NBA.
The Raptors also ranked second in points scored off turnovers at 19.7 per game.
Boston, meanwhile, had several players capable of scoring 20 or more points.
The Celtics had scored at least 100 points in 23 of their first 27 games.
Their previous meeting with Toronto had produced 218 points.
The Over selection was therefore a bet on offensive execution and additional scoring opportunities overcoming the teams' strong defensive numbers.
The Raptors had already demonstrated their ability to remain competitive without Leonard.
Pascal Siakam had developed into the team's leading scorer, while Lowry and Fred VanVleet provided experienced backcourt play.
But Toronto entered Christmas Day without three important contributors.
Pascal Siakam, Marc Gasol, and Norman Powell were all sidelined.
Their absence changed the matchup considerably.
Siakam was Toronto's leading offensive option and a difficult player to defend because of his size and versatility.
Gasol provided interior defense, rebounding, and passing.
Powell had been an important source of perimeter scoring.
Without them, Toronto needed larger contributions from Serge Ibaka, Chris Boucher, and its remaining rotation players.
That created opportunities for Boston, particularly on the offensive glass.
The Celtics would eventually outscore Toronto 24–4 in second-chance points, one of the most decisive statistics of the game.
The Celtics weren't dependent on one scorer.
Tatum had just delivered a 39-point performance against Charlotte, but Toronto also had to account for Walker, Brown, and Hayward.
Brown was enjoying a strong start to the season and had become a more consistent perimeter threat.
Walker brought another dimension with his shooting and ability to attack off the dribble.
Hayward's passing gave Boston another way to create quality shots.
That balance made the Celtics difficult to defend, particularly for a Toronto team missing several regular rotation players.
Brown delivered the best offensive performance of the afternoon.
He finished with:
His efficiency was remarkable against a defense that had entered the game among the league's best.
Brown scored 16 points in the third quarter alone, helping Boston turn an eight-point halftime advantage into a commanding lead.
Walker finished with 22 points, making five three-pointers.
His shooting helped stretch Toronto's defense and opened additional opportunities for Boston's other scorers.
Hayward added 14 points and six assists, while Daniel Theis scored 13.
The Celtics received contributions throughout their lineup, making it difficult for the Raptors to concentrate on stopping any single player.
The archived ATS.io preview included several betting trends that shaped the pregame analysis.
Here are the most relevant numbers entering December 25, 2019.
Betting trend | Boston Celtics | Toronto Raptors |
|---|---|---|
ATS record by location | 8–5–1 on the road | 10–6 at home |
Recent five-game ATS record | 3–2 | 3–2 |
Recent five-game totals | 3 Overs, 2 Unders | 3 Overs, 2 Unders |
Record when scoring over 100 | 19–4 | 19–7 |
Record holding opponents under 100 | 8–1 | 9–1 |
Defensive efficiency ranking | 3rd | 2nd |
The Celtics also ranked ninth in rebounding at 46.1 per game.
Toronto allowed 48.3 rebounds per game, the highest figure in the NBA at the time.
That statistical contrast became particularly relevant with Gasol unavailable.
The Celtics had defeated Toronto 112–106 earlier in the season.
Lowry scored 29 points and recorded seven assists, but Boston did a better job protecting the ball.
The Celtics posted a turnover percentage of just 7.2%, compared with Toronto's 21.2%.
Boston's ability to limit mistakes helped offset the Raptors' pressure defense.
It also offered a useful reference point for the Christmas Day rematch.
Toronto entered with a 10–6 ATS record at home.
The Raptors were also 11–5 to the Over in their home games.
That suggested Toronto could still produce competitive and relatively high-scoring games despite its reputation as a defensive team.
However, the injury situation made the Christmas Day matchup different from many of those earlier contests.
Boston controlled the opening quarter, taking a 28–19 lead.
Toronto responded in the second, but the Celtics still entered halftime ahead 55–47.
The third quarter decided the game.
Boston outscored Toronto 33–22, with Brown scoring 16 points on perfect 5-of-5 shooting.
The Celtics carried an 88–69 advantage into the final period.
Toronto scored 33 points in the fourth quarter, but Boston added another 30 to secure a 118–102 victory.
Quarter | Celtics | Raptors |
|---|---|---|
First | 28 | 19 |
Second | 27 | 28 |
Third | 33 | 22 |
Fourth | 30 | 33 |
Final | 118 | 102 |
Boston's third-quarter performance effectively settled the spread.
The fourth quarter helped settle the total.
With 157 combined points entering the final period, the teams needed another 57 to clear 213.5.
They scored 63.
Both original ATS.io picks were winners.
Boston's offensive efficiency stood out.
The Celtics shot 50% from the field and 42.4% from three-point range.
Toronto managed 44.3% shooting overall and 34.8% from beyond the arc.
Statistic | Boston | Toronto |
|---|---|---|
Points | 118 | 102 |
Field goals | 46–92 | 39–88 |
Field goal percentage | 50.0% | 44.3% |
Three-pointers | 14–33 | 8–23 |
Three-point percentage | 42.4% | 34.8% |
Total rebounds | 45 | 33 |
Offensive rebounds | 13 | 5 |
Assists | 26 | 20 |
Turnovers | 19 | 17 |
Second-chance points | 24 | 4 |
The rebounding difference deserves particular attention.
Boston collected 13 offensive rebounds, compared with just five for Toronto.
Those additional possessions helped the Celtics maintain their scoring advantage.
The 24–4 difference in second-chance points was larger than Boston's final margin of victory.
Toronto had entered with excellent defensive numbers, but its depleted frontcourt struggled to prevent Boston from getting additional opportunities.
Fred VanVleet led the Raptors with 27 points.
Chris Boucher scored 24 off the bench, providing an important lift for the short-handed home team.
Lowry added 14 points and eight assists.
Toronto still managed to score 102 points, but the Raptors couldn't match Boston's efficiency or rebounding production.
The original article recommended two bets.
Both won.
Result: Win
Contemporary betting reports listed Boston as a favorite, with spreads ranging between -2.5 and -3.5.
The Celtics won by 16 points.
That meant Boston covered comfortably at either number.
Historical spread | Final margin | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
Celtics -2.5 | Celtics by 16 | Win |
Celtics -3.5 | Celtics by 16 | Win |
The Celtics covered -2.5 by 13.5 points and -3.5 by 12.5.
Boston's third-quarter surge removed much of the late-game uncertainty.
Result: Win
The historical Over/Under was widely listed at 213.5.
Boston scored 118.
Toronto scored 102.
The combined total reached 220.
Historical total | Final total | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
Over 213.5 | 220 | Win |
The Over cleared the line by 6.5 points.
Toronto's 33-point fourth quarter was important, although Boston's efficient offensive performance provided the foundation.
Original ATS.io betting record: 2–0.
The archived preview did not include the exact sportsbook prices for its selections, so a specific monetary return cannot be established.
The game demonstrated how closely connected spread and total outcomes can be.
Boston's offensive success helped produce both winning selections.
Brown and Walker combined to make 10 three-pointers.
The Celtics finished 14-of-33 from beyond the arc.
Toronto struggled to contest Boston's shooters consistently, particularly in the second half.
Boston's 13 offensive rebounds produced valuable second-chance opportunities.
The Celtics converted those chances into 24 points.
That increased both their scoring output and their margin of victory.
The Raptors scored 102 points despite the loss.
VanVleet and Boucher combined for 51.
Toronto's fourth-quarter offense was particularly important for the Over.
The Raptors scored 33 points in the final period, even as Boston maintained a comfortable lead.
Siakam, Gasol, and Powell were unavailable.
Toronto lacked some of the offensive versatility and interior strength that had contributed to its strong start.
Boston took advantage of those weaknesses.
The result illustrates why season-long defensive rankings need to be considered alongside injuries, available personnel, and individual matchups.
For current games, ATS.io's NBA odds and betting markets provide a way to compare spreads, totals, and other available markets.
The Christmas Day result provides several lessons that remain relevant when evaluating NBA betting lines.
1. Defensive rankings don't tell the whole story. Toronto ranked second in defensive efficiency, yet Boston scored 118 points. Injuries and individual matchups can change the outlook significantly.
2. Rebounding can decide more than possession totals. Boston's 24 second-chance points were a major reason the Celtics covered comfortably.
3. The available spread matters. Boston covered at both -2.5 and -3.5, but many games finish close enough that a single point changes the result.
4. Fourth-quarter scoring can determine an Over/Under. The teams combined for 63 points in the final period, pushing the total to 220.
5. A winning pick still needs a sound process. The original Over won despite the preview's emphasis on defensive efficiency. The stronger retrospective explanation centers on offensive personnel, injuries, shooting, and additional possessions.
Those considerations apply well beyond this particular game.
Comparing prices across NBA betting sites can also help bettors identify differences in spreads, totals, and player-prop lines.
The Christmas Day victory improved Boston's record to 21–7.
Toronto fell to 21–10.
Both teams remained serious Eastern Conference contenders throughout the season.
The rivalry became even more significant in the 2020 NBA playoffs.
Boston and Toronto met in the Eastern Conference semifinals, with the Celtics winning a closely contested seven-game series.
Their Christmas Day meeting was an early indication of how competitive the matchup could be.
The teams have continued to meet regularly as Atlantic Division rivals.
For another matchup between the clubs, read our Raptors vs Celtics prediction and player props for January 9, 2026.
Boston defeated Toronto 118–102 at Scotiabank Arena.
The original preview recommended Boston against the spread and Over the game total.
Yes. Boston won by 16 points and covered the historical spread range of -2.5 to -3.5.
The widely reported historical total was 213.5 points.
Over. The teams combined for 220 points.
Jaylen Brown led all scorers with 30 points.
Walker scored 22 points for Boston.
Fred VanVleet scored 27 points.
No. Siakam missed the game with a groin injury.
Marc Gasol and Norman Powell were also sidelined.
Boston led Toronto 55–47.
The Celtics made 14 of their 33 three-point attempts.
Boston scored 24 second-chance points, compared with four for Toronto.
Yes. Boston covered the spread, and the game finished Over the historical total.
The original ATS.io preview backed Boston against the spread and the Over.
Both selections were successful.
Boston's balanced offense proved too much for Toronto's depleted lineup. Brown scored 30 points, Walker added 22, and the Celtics shot 50% from the field.
The rebounding advantage was just as important.
Boston's 24–4 edge in second-chance points helped turn a competitive matchup into a convincing victory.
Toronto still scored enough to contribute to the Over, particularly with its 33-point fourth quarter.
→ Our Take: Boston was the right side of the spread, and the Celtics' offensive performance justified the Over. Toronto's injuries created clear matchup problems, while Boston's shooting and rebounding made the difference. The original ATS.io selections finished 2–0, with the Celtics covering comfortably and the game clearing 213.5 by 6.5 points.
For upcoming matchups, see our latest NBA picks and compare available lines before placing a wager.
