Celtics vs Raptors Odds, Picks, and Predictions Tonight: Toronto Can't Stop Boston

There is no doubt that the Toronto Raptors have been a much more exciting basketball team since the trade for RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley. They have more ball-handlers and shot-creators, and in its simplest form, the Raptors are fun again. That said, this particular fun brand of brand of basketball comes at a cost on defense.

While Toronto has been getting more buckets, it hasn't been preventing many, either. As a result, the Raptors have been an Over machine since the trade. That may not bode well against the Eastern Conference-leading Boston Celtics.

The NBA odds say this will be another high-scoring game but can the Raps keep up as underdogs? And will they topple another total?

I break down this Atlantic Division matchup and bring you the best bet, plus a same-game parlay in my NBA picks and predictions for Celtics vs. Raptors.

Celtics vs Raptors odds

Celtics vs Raptors predictions

The Toronto Raptors’ new brand of basketball has been fun to watch but they still aren’t getting the results they want at this point. The Raptors return home a little frustrated after losing the final three games of a six-game road trip — a couple in controversial fashion. 

But Toronto is hoping the combination of being back at home and having a couple of days off will help them refocus. And the Raptors will need to be at their best as they welcome the Boston Celtics to town.

The new-look Raptors have been a completely different team with the basketball in their hands. For starters, they now have more than a couple of players who can dribble it. Toronto also now has multiple shot creators, and Immanuel Quickley already looks like a great fit next to Scottie Barnes.

As a result, the Raptors have looked like a much more dynamic offense since making the trade. Toronto ranks sixth in the NBA when it comes to offensive rating and scoring offense, putting up 122.3 points per game. The Raps also rank fourth in effective field goal percentage and third in 3-point shooting percentage in the seven games since the deal.

But like I said, that offense has come at a cost. The Raptors have been giving up buckets with a capital B. Toronto ranks 28th in defensive rating, 26th in opponent field goal percentage, and are surrendering 126.9 points over that period.

Unsurprisingly, that has made the Raptors a fantastic Over bet. They are 6-1 to the Over since trading for Quickley and Barrett, and I think another total could be in trouble tonight against the Celtics.

Boston looks like the best team in basketball. The Celtics are 30-9 and lead the NBA in net rating, ranking in the Top 5 in both offensive and defensive rating. Simply put, they are a problem.

Jayson Tatum is having another MVP-caliber season, averaging 27.4 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game. While the starting lineup that also features Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, and Derrick White is arguably the best in the NBA.

How good are the Celtics? They just put up 145 points on a Houston Rockets team that is very sound defensively. 

The Raptors may not have the same offensive success against the Celtics that they have had against others, but they will be good enough here to send this one Over the total of 242. Yes, it’s a big number, but they have cleared it in six of the seven games since their mini-roster makeover. I’m betting they go Over again tonight.

My best bet: Over 240.5 (-111 at PointsBet)

Celtics vs Raptors same-game parlay

Over 240.5

Derrick White Over 15.5 points

Scottie Barnes Over 6.5 rebounds

+500 at PointsBet

With Brown sitting this one out, there is some value on some secondary Celtics scorers.

Specifically, I’m looking at White. The Celtics guard is always ready to shoulder more of a scoring load when one of Boston’s big guns goes down as his usage rate goes up when Tatum or Brown are not on the floor. White is averaging 15.7 points per game and his point prop is sitting at 15.5 for this matchup when he could called upon more. Add the Over 15.5 points.

Let’s close this SGP out with another player prop. Barnes is averaging 8.4 rebounds per game this season, yet his rebounding prop is sitting at 6.5 because the Celtics are a good rebounding team. That said, this is too much of an overadjustment. I’m adding the Over 6.5 boards for Barnes.

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

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Celtics vs Raptors spread and Over/Under analysis

The Raptors opened this Eastern Conference clash as 6.5-point home underdogs but it was the Celtics who have seen the early action and the line moved to Toronto +7.5. 

However, it’s since been reported that the Brown missed Monday's shootaround and is listed as questionable (later downgraded to out) for this matchup. Oddsmakers made a corresponding move with the line dropping back to the opening number of 6.5.

Now, these division rivals have already played three times this season with Boston winning each game. Toronto has put up a decent fight in the last two, covering as 9- and 4.5-point underdogs. 

Unfortunately, I’m not sure how much can be taken away from those games since the Raptors play an entirely different style of basketball now. That said, the Raptors’ deficiencies on the defensive end of the floor would tend to have me leaning toward laying the points with the Celtics here.

When it comes to the total, that has also seen a slight adjustment since the Brown news came out. The total hit the board at 242 and is down slightly to 240.5 as of this writing. 

It’s a little weird but I almost like the Over more with Brown out as Boston would be down an excellent defender to slow down the Raptors, but they have so much depth they’ll still be able to put up points against a shaky Toronto defense.

Celtics vs Raptors betting trend to know

The Over is 6-1 in the Raptors' seven games since trading for RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley. Find more NBA betting trends for Celtics vs. Raptors.

Celtics vs Raptors game info

Celtics vs Raptors latest injuries

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