Raptors vs. Celtics Prediction
Who has the edge when two of the Eastern Conference favorites meet up at 8PM ET as the Boston Celtics host the Toronto Raptors tonight?
529 Toronto Raptors vs. 530 Boston Celtics
Wednesday, January 16, 2019
8PM ET – TD Garden
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Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, the Celtics are the slight favorite at home, as they are getting odds of -2 points against the Raptors. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 223 points. The public betting for this game currently has 51 percent going on the Celtics as the slight favorite at home. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NBA Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Raptors rolling
Toronto is on a 5-game winning streak coming into tonight following a 140-138 OT win at Washington on Sunday. The Raptors are just 3-2 against the spread in their last five. Toronto is 33-12 on the season, 15-8 on the road, 20-25 against the spread and 27-18 with the over.
The Raptors are putting up 114 points per game on offense this season while shooting 47.4 percent from the field. Defensively, Toronto is giving up 108.5 points per game while limiting opponents to 45.3 percent shooting. Backup guard Fred VanVleet and forward CJ Miles are both questionable to play today due to injuries. Kawhi Leonard is leading the team with 27.5 points and 8.0 rebounds per game while Kyle Lowry adds 14.0 points and 9.6 assists per contest.
Celtics struggle on the road
Boston is coming off a 3-game losing streak on the road, including a 109-102 loss at Brooklyn on Monday. They were favored in all three games. The Celtics are 25-18 on the season, 15-5 at home, 22-21 against the spread and 26-17 with the over.
The Celtics have a strong defense, as they are giving up just 105.7 points per game while limiting opponents to 44.2 percent shooting from the floor and 33.3 percent shooting from the arc. Offensively, Boston is putting up 111.7 points per game while shooting 36.4 percent from the arc. Kyrie Irving missed the last game with a quad injury, but he is expected to play tonight. Marcus Smart and Aron Baynes are both listed as questionable. Irving is averaging 22.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 6.4 assists per game to lead the team while Jayson Tatum is adding 16.6 points and 6.3 rebounds per game.
NBA Betting Trends
Toronto
The Raptors are just 1-7 against the spread in their last eight road games and 4-9 ATS in their last 13 conference games.
Boston
The Celtics are 35-16 against the spread in their last 51 home games and 14-4 ATS in their last 18 Wednesday games.
Prediction:
The home team has won and covered the spread in both meetings this season and in the last seven in this series history. Both teams have been hard to peg when it comes to covering. Toronto as an underdog is certainly intriguing, but this is a big game for Kyrie. Boston has lost three straight and Irving had some very public comments about leadership and playoff experience. Boston’s success is very much on him and I think he will step up today in this big game at home.
NBA Prediction: Boston Celtics -2