Boston Celtics (34-12) vs. Toronto Raptors (20-26)
January 21, 2023 at 5:00 pm EDT
The Line: Toronto Raptors +2; Over/Under: +231.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Boston Celtics and Toronto Raptors meet Saturday in NBA action at the Scotiabank Arena. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.
The Boston Celtics Preview
The Boston Celtics are averaging 118.8 points on 47.6 percent shooting and allowing 112.4 points on 46.8 percent shooting. Jayson Tatum is averaging 31.1 points and 8.3 rebounds, while Jaylen Brown is averaging 27.2 points and 3.2 assists. Malcolm Brogdon is the third double-digit scorer and Marcus Smart is grabbing 3.4 rebounds. The Boston Celtics are shooting 37 percent from beyond the arc and 83 percent from the free throw line. The Boston Celtics are allowing 35.6 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 44.7 rebounds per game.
The Toronto Raptors Preview
The Toronto Raptors are averaging 112.5 points on 44.9 percent shooting and allowing 112.5 points on 48.8 percent shooting. Pascal Siakam is averaging 25.5 points and 8.2 rebounds, while Fred VanVleet is averaging 18.7 points and 4.4 rebounds. Gary Trent Jr. is the third double-digit scorer and OG Anunoby is grabbing 5.7 rebounds. The Toronto Raptors are shooting 33.2 percent from beyond the arc and 79.2 percent from the free throw line. The Toronto Raptors are allowing 37 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 42.5 rebounds per game.
Trends
The Celtics are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 road games and 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall. The Raptors are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 Saturday games. The under is 12-5-1 in Celtics last 18 road games. The over is 5-1 in Raptors last 6 overall. The Celtics are 10-1 ATS in the last 11 meetings in Toronto and 4-0 ATS in the last 4 meetings.
Randy’s Free Pick
The Toronto Raptors have underachieved all season long, and they’ve lost 7 of the last 9 meetings against the Celtics. Tatum is out, so that’s the reason for the soft line. Still, the Celtics still have enough to get the job done here. The Raptors aren’t playing much defense this week, and I don’t trust them against above average teams. I’ll lay the bucket.