The Toronto Raptors vs Boston Celtics matchup is one of 10 NBA matchups scheduled on Friday. This will be the second meeting between the two teams this season. On December 20, the Celtics blew out the Raptors 112-96.
These two squads are neck-in-neck in the Eastern Conference standings. While the Raptors have played two more games than the Celtics, Boston (23-13) currently holds the no. 3 spot while Toronto is in the no. 4 spot.
Raptors vs Celtics Odds
Moneyline: Raptors (+277) vs Celtics (-303)
Spread: Raptors (+8.5) vs Celtics (-8.5)
Total: Raptors -109 (o224.5) vs Celtics -103 (u224.5)
Editor’s note: The odds could change closer to the game. The odds listed were as per available information at the time of writing.
Raptors vs Celtics Preview and Prediction
The Raptors are currently riding the wave of a three-game winning streak (and, over the past two weeks, they have won five of their last six outings). On Wednesday, they defeated the Charlotte Hornets 97-96. RJ Barrett had 28 points and seven rebounds on this night when the Raptors overcame a six-point deficit at the start of the fourth quarter. Immanuel Quickley chipped in 21 points on 44.4% shooting from the field.
As the new year unfolded, the Celtics pulled off four consecutive wins. However, their winning streak was snapped by the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday. In this 114-110 loss, Jaylen Brown had 33 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and one steal. Derrick White and Payton Pritchard had 17 points apiece on a combined 12-for-32 shooting.
The Celtics are favored to win this matchup against the Raptors. The Celtics will have homecourt advantage over a Raptors squad that might not have Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram, who have both been ruled as questionable for this game.
Raptors vs Celtics Player Props
Immanuel Quickley’s point total is set at 16.5, which is nearly identical with his season average of 16.4 points per game. Aside from his 21 points against the Hornets, Quickley also contributed four rebounds, two assists, and one steal.
Jaylen Brown’s point total is set at 28.5, which is below his season average of 29.7 points per outing. Brown shot 48.3% from the field in the loss to the Nuggets.
