The Boston Celtics vs. Toronto Raptors game will occur at TD Garden on November 16, 2024, at 8:00 PM EST. The Celtics currently boast a 10-3 record, ranking 2nd in the Eastern Conference. They recently secured a dominant 139-114 victory over the Brooklyn Nets.
In stark contrast, the Toronto Raptors are struggling with a 2-10 record, sitting at 15th in the Eastern Conference. They’re on a five-game losing streak, most recently falling to the Milwaukee Bucks 99-85. Historically, the Celtics and Raptors have faced off 112 times in the regular season, with Boston winning 70 of those matchups compared to Toronto’s 42.
Boston Celtics vs. Toronto Raptors: Preview
The Celtics are averaging 121.3 points per game this season, ranking second in the NBA, while allowing 110.5 points (ninth). Their rebounding is average, with 42.8 boards per game (18th), but they struggle on the defensive glass, conceding 43.1 rebounds (16th). Boston excels in three-point shooting, leading the league with 18.8 threes per game and ranking ninth in three-point percentage at 37.3%.
The Raptors score 112.8 points per game (15th) but allow 120.8 points (third-worst in the league). They are strong on the boards, ranking 10th with 44.7 rebounds per game, but allow 42.1 (eighth). Offensively, Toronto struggles with three-point shooting, ranking second-worst in the league with just 10.6 threes made per game and 23rd in percentage at 33.2%.
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Boston Celtics vs. Toronto Raptors: Odds And Best Bets
The Celtics are heavily favored in their game against the Raptors, with the odds reflecting a significant disparity in team performance this season. Currently, the Celtics boast a record of 10-3, placing them second in the Eastern Conference, while the Raptors sit at a dismal 2-11, firmly at the bottom of the league standings. The Celtics’ recent form has been impressive, highlighted by a commanding victory over the Brooklyn Nets. Jayson Tatum has emerged as an essential player, averaging over 30 points per game and coming off a performance where he nearly achieved a triple-double. Meanwhile, the Raptors have struggled offensively, averaging just 111.4 points per game, and have failed to score over 100 points in their last three outings. This context sets the stage for Boston to dominate, with sportsbooks giving them a handicap of -16.5 points for this game.
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For bettors looking for opportunities in this game, the recommended strategy leans heavily toward backing Boston to cover the spread. The Celtics tend to win decisively against weaker opponents, having won several games by large margins this season. Considering Toronto’s ongoing struggles and inability to maintain competitive scoring levels, betting on Jayson Tatum to exceed 25 points could also be a smart wager, given his current form and role as the team’s primary scorer. The over/under for total points is set at 228, which may also be worth considering, especially if Boston continues its high-scoring trend while exploiting Toronto’s defensive vulnerabilities.
Boston Celtics vs. Toronto Raptors: Head To Head Stats
In the last 10 head-to-head games between the Celtics and the Raptors, the Celtics have dominated, winning 9 of those games, while the Raptors have secured just 1 victory. The most recent win for the Celtics came on January 15, 2024, with a 105-96 victory over the Raptors in Toronto, extending their win streak to 8 games. Prior to that, the Celtics had also won a close contest on December 29, 2023, by a score of 120-118, and they won in the previous two games of the 2023-24 season as well, with victories on November 17 and November 11, 2023, both by narrow margins.
The Celtics’ dominance stretches back to the 2022-23 season, where they won all 6 of their games against the Raptors. This included a 121-102 victory on April 7, 2023, and a hard-fought 97-93 win just two days earlier. Earlier in the season, Boston defeated Toronto by just 2 points in January, 106-104, and by 6 points on December 5, 2022, with a 116-110 scoreline. The only Raptors’ win in the last 10 games came on March 28, 2022, when they won 115-112.
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