The Toronto Raptors' take on the rebuild is certainly unique. They may have a little too much talent to compete with the bottom feeders of the NBA. Just look at their latest game where they outclassed Kevin Durant and Phoenix Suns.
Hell, they even upset the Boston Celtics 110-97 as 14-home underdogs when these two last met in Toronto back on Jan. 15. This time around sportsbooks are giving the Raps more respect giving them 11 points in tonight’s rematch.
But is that an overreaction against the reigning NBA champs? My Celtics vs. Raptors predictions break it all down and bring you my NBA picks for this Atlantic Division matchup set to tip off at 7 pm ET at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, on Tuesday, Feb, 25.
Raptors vs Celtics prediction
My Raptors pick
RJ Barrett Over 6.5 rebounds (+120 at PointsBet Canada)
My analysis
It became quite clear that once the Toronto Raptors got healthy they wouldn’t be able to keep losing with the likes of the Washington Wizards or the Charlotte Hornets.
So, the next phase of the Raps’ rebuild was acquiring talent via trade, and that resulted in the acquisition and extension of Brandon Ingram. However, Ingram will still be sidelined for a little while with an ankle injury.
And even with Toronto’s improving play (they rank 14th in net rating over the last 15 games) it’s interesting to see them lined as 11-point home dogs in this matchup against the Boston Celtics when just a month ago the spread was 14 points.
Not much has changed since then, other than the Raptors playing out of their mind in that Jan. 15. Meeting. However, there were also rumors that the Toronto nightlife got the better of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown prior to that matchup.
It’s unlikely that a team with a championship pedigree that ranks third in net rating and has won five in a row straight up and against the spread would let that happen again.
So, I’m avoiding this spread like the plague, as I can easily see the Celtics covering this number, and instead, I’m looking at a guy who has been a problem for Boston this season. That is RJ Barrett.
Barrett enters this game averaging 21.9 points per game to go along with 6.5 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game. In a Nov. 16 matchup in Boston, Barrett recorded a triple-double with 25 points, 15 assists and 10 rebounds. He followed that up with a 22-point, 10 rebounds, and eight assist performance in that Jan. 15 meeting.
For all the things the Celtics do well, they are just as the kids say, “mid” when it comes to cleaning the glass. Boston ranks 14th in rebounding rate and 15th in opponent rebounds per game.
Barrett just matches up well against this Celtics lineup and at plus money I’ll back him to go Over 6.5 rebounds. Something he has done in both matchups against Boston this season.
Raptors vs Celtics same-game parlay
RJ Barrett Over 6.5 rebounds
Immanuel Quickley Over 17.5 points
Kristaps Porzingis Over 7.5 rebounds
RJ Barrett’s former Knicks teammate is also cooking. Immanuel Quickley is finally starting to look like the guy he was after the Raptors acquired him last season, following a first half of the season that was marred by injuries.
Quickley has now put up 20 or more points in four of his last five games while shooting an impressive 46.3% from 3-point range. Sportsbooks have yet to make a proper adjustment to Quickley’s point totals. So, let’s add Over 17.5 points to this same-game parlay.
And let’s close this SGP out with Kristaps Porzingis to go Over 7.5 rebounds. He is averaging 6.9 rebounds per game this season but he gets a good matchup tonight. Jakob Poeltl is still questionable with a hip injury. Porizingis should have plenty of work to work inside and hauled down eight rebounds in his lone matchup against the Raptors this season.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Raptors vs Celtics odds
Raptors vs Celtics live odds
Raptors vs Celtics opening odds
- Spread: Toronto +10.5 | Boston -10.5
- Moneyline: Toronto +375 | Boston -500
- Over/Under: Over 226.5 | Under 226.5
Odds courtesy of PointsBet Canada
Raptors vs Celtics spread and Over/Under analysis
- The Raptors opened this Atlantic Division matchup as 10.5-point home underdogs and have bounced back and forth between that and 11.5.
- This feels like an over-adjustment to the Raptors' win over the Celtics back on Feb. 15. This Celtics team is still arguably the best team in the NBA and there shouldn't be a 3-point swing here. I would lean toward Boston as a road favorite.
- The total hit the board at 226.5 and that's where it remains as of Tuesday afternoon.
- This would be the lowest total in four matchups between these two teams this season and the only matchup that went Over went to overtime.
Raptors vs Celtics trend
The Raptors have hit the 1H Game Total Under in 32 of their last 49 games for +12.75 Units and a 23% ROI. Find more NBA betting trends for Raptors vs. Celtics.
How to watch Raptors vs Celtics
| Location | Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON |
| Date | Tuesday, 2-25-2025 |
| Tip-off | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | TSN |
Raptors vs Celtics latest injuries
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