Offense meets defense when the Boston Celtics (22-7) welcome the Toronto Raptors (21-10) to TD Garden. The game will air on The Sports Network at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 28, 2019.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 216.5 points with Boston set as a 6-point favorite.
Toronto Raptors vs. Boston Celtics Free Prediction
The Celtics were victorious over the Cleveland Cavaliers in their last game, 129-117, despite being 4-point underdogs. The game’s total points (246) were well over the O/U total of 214.5. The Celtics held the Cavaliers to an offensive rebounding percentage of 16.2 (below their season average of 23.7) and had a turnover percentage of 9.6 (better than their season average of 11.7). Jaylen Brown was the top scorer from either team with 34 points on 13-for-20 shooting from the field.
The Raptors’ last game was against the Celtics. The two teams combined to put up 220 points in that game, which was over the projected point total of 214.5. The Celtics won 118-102, covering as 4-point underdogs. Boston had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (32.5 vs. 17.9). Toronto, meanwhile, did a terrific job of making free throws (18-22; 81.8 percent). Brown was the game’s top overall scorer with 30 points. The Celtics have now emerged victorious in both games against the Raptors this year.
Toronto holds records of 21-10 straight up (SU) and 17-14 against the spread (ATS). Vegas has typically been fairly accurate when setting the O/U total of Raptors games, with 17 overs compared to 14 unders.
Meanwhile, Boston is 22-7 SU and 18-9-1 ATS. Of the Celtics’ 28 games with betting action, 16 have finished under the total.
Both teams have had a player step their game up over their last five games. Kyle Lowry (26 points,9.8 assists,6.4 rebounds) has been stellar for the Raptors while Jayson Tatum (23 points,7.4 rebounds,3.2 assists) has contributed greatly to the Celtics.
This matchup pits one of the league’s top offenses against one of its elite defenses. Boston currently ranks fourth in offensive efficiency and Toronto ranks second in defensive efficiency.
Toronto Raptors at Boston Celtics Odds Pick
NBA Pick: ATS Winner – Celtics, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
Toronto is 7-7 ATS on the road with 9 unders and 5 overs.
At home, Boston is 9-4 ATS with 7 unders and 6 overs.
In games where they hold opponents under 100 points, Toronto is 9-1 and Boston is 8-1.
In games where they reach the century mark, the Celtics are 21-4 and the Raptors are 19-8.
Boston ranks ninth in rebounds allowed per game (44.2) while Toronto ranks last (48.2).
The Celtics rank fifth in assists allowed per game (22.6) while the Raptors rank 25th (25.7).
Boston ranks 14th in three pointers attempted per game (34.5) while Toronto ranks last in three pointers allowed per game (38.9).
The Celtics rank sixth in blocks per game (6.1) while the Raptors rank 21st in blocks allowed per game (5.4).
Boston ranks 13th in second chance points per game (13.4) while Toronto ranks 28th in second chance points allowed per game (14.7).
The Raptors rank fourth in steals per game (8.5) while the Celtics rank 15th (7.9).
Toronto ranks second in points off turnovers per game (19.7) while Boston ranks 11th (18.0).
The Raptors rank first in fast break points per game (19.1) while the Celtics rank ninth (14.7).
Boston ranks third in points allowed in the paint per game (42.3) while Toronto ranks fourth (42.7).
In its last five outings, Toronto is 2-3 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under.
Boston is 4-1 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders over its last five games.
The Raptors have been outscored by an average of 0.2 points in their last five games. On the season, Toronto has defeated opponents by an average of 5.0 points.
During their last five games, the Celtics have scored an average of 117.8 points per game (5.8 above their season average) and allowed an average of 101.6 points per game (2.1 below their season average).
