The Boston Celtics (34-12) and Denver Nuggets are tied for the longest active winning streak in the NBA at eight games, so it’s no surprise both teams sit atop their respective conferences. Boston tries to keep the momentum going when they visit the Toronto Raptors (20-26) for an early 5:00 PM tipoff as part of Saturday’s NBA schedule.
Boston seems like a safe pick in the Celtics vs Raptors prediction; as of their eight straight wins, five have come on the road. The Raptors have also lost three of their last four, the most surprising one a 114-103 defeat at home against Atlanta as -7.5 favorites on the NBA odds.
Celtics vs. Raptors Odds
Recent Scores
Boston has put together an impressive 16-7 road record this season, very similar to their 18-5 mark at TD Garden in 2022/23. Basically, this is a good team regardless of where they play, and eight straight wins have proven that.
Boston’s most recent victory was a 121-118 victory over Golden State on Thursday in a rematch of last year’s NBA Finals. That was an emotional win for Boston in front of their home fans, but Golden State is also just 5-18, and the Celtics were supposed to win that game as -6.5 favorites.
Toronto is hoping that the Celtics have a letdown after their revenge game against the Warriors last time out, as the Raptors return home after a 1-2 road trip that was highlighted by a 123-121 OT win over the Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
Saturday’s game marks the second of the NBA matchups between these two teams this season, with Boston getting a 116-110 win in early December, also at Scotiabank Arena. Jayson Tatum was his usual great self in that game with 31 points and 12 rebounds, while Pascal Siakam had 29 to lead Toronto.
Boston Celtics vs. Toronto Raptors Information
Boston Celtics vs. Toronto Raptors
Location of the game: Scotiabank Arena. Toronto, ON.
Date: Saturday, January 21st. 5:00 PM ET.
How to watch: NBCS-Bos, Sportsnet.
Boston Celtics vs. Toronto Raptors Betting Analysis
Celtics Overview
The Boston Celtics play tonight trying to extend their winning streak to nine games. That would match their season-high from November 4th-18th and put them at 9-2 for the month of January.
There’s a lot to like about the visitors in the Celtics vs Raptors predictions, especially how they’ve been dominant in their three most recent road games, winning each by double digits. Granted, two of those were against 12-34 Charlotte (122-108, 130-118), and the Nets (109-98) were playing their first game without Kevin Durant (knee) in the January 12th win.
Jaylen Brown (strained abductor) didn’t play for Boston against the Nets, but he returned with 16 points and nine rebounds on the NBA player stats vs Golden State Thursday. The Celtics head to Toronto relatively healthy after Marcus Smart, Malcolm Brogdon, and Al Horford had all missed some time lately.
Raptors Overview
Toronto had a night off and is back home following their 128-126 loss in Minnesota on Thursday night as -4.5 favorites on the NBA picks. The Raptors had an early 18-point lead against the T’Wolves and were outscored 18-4 down the stretch as they let one get away.
The Raptors also lost 130-122 at Milwaukee in Tuesday’s NBA matchups, even though the Bucks were without Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee). Fred VanVleet had 39 for Toronto, Gary Trent, Jr. added 28, Siakam 23, and Scottie Barnes 14 points and 13 rebounds, and it still wasn’t enough to get the victory.
Toronto was playing on the back-to-back in the loss to the Bucks a night after their OT win at Madison Square Garden, while their defeat in Minnesota came in a third road game in four nights.
According to the NBA team stats, the Raptors were 3-3 on their last home stand, which included close losses to the Bucks (104-101 OT) and Knicks (112-108) but also two ‘gimme’ wins against the Hornets and falling by 11 to the Hawks.
Boston Celtics vs. Toronto Raptors Betting Preview
It will be interesting to see what the Toronto Raptors odds are when they are released later on Friday because this is either going to be a justifiable Boston -7.5 type line or a trap BOS -2.5 point spread. Everything is saying a healthy Boston should continue to dominate, so if the line is low, it looks like to go with the Raptors.
Boston Celtics vs. Toronto Raptors Betting Prediction
What you hope for here is a letdown spot from the Celtics after the NBA Finals rematch win over Golden State on Thursday. What’s working against that is that they want to get their winning streak to nine games and have no real reason to ‘look ahead’ to their next game in Orlando on Monday.
The Celtics vs Raptors prediction is that Toronto plays better back at home. On paper, Boston is near the top in most major NBA stats, including having the number two scoring offense and a top 10 defense, but the Raptors exploded with insane production at Milwaukee and roared out of the gates before getting fatigued against Minnesota.
Toronto gets the win – or at the least covers the number.
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