Celtics vs Raptors Prediction

Toronto Raptors (5-6) vs Boston Celtics (9-2)

Game Info: Friday, November 17, 2023 at 7:30 pm (Scotiabank Arena)

Betting Odds: Toronto Raptors +6.5 -- Over/Under: 216.5

The Boston Celtics travel to the Scotiabank Arena to battle the Toronto Raptors on Friday night.

Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics have been in great form with nine wins in their first 11 games and they will be aiming for a fifth straight victory after beating the 76ers in a 117-107 road win on Wednesday. Jayson Tatum led the team with 29 points, eight rebounds and six assists, Derrick White added 27 points with five assists while Jrue Holiday chipped in with 18 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks. As a team, the Celtics shot 47 percent from the field and 18 of 50 from the 3-point line as they looked to be in trouble when they squandered an early 17-point lead, but they held their nerve and limited the 76ers to just 17 points in the third quarter to reclaim control and earn the statement win.

Toronto Raptors

Meanwhile, the Toronto Raptors have been a team on the rise with three wins in their past five games, but they will be hoping to bounce back in this one after getting routed by the Bucks in a 128-112 loss on Wednesday. Scottie Barnes led the team with 29 points, nine rebounds and seven assists, Jakob Poeltl added 13 points with 11 rebounds and four steals while Pascal Siakam chipped in with 11 points, seven rebounds and five assists. As a team, the Raptors shot just 39 percent from the field and nine of 33 from the 3-point line as they allowed the Bucks to get off to a flying start and they just couldn't get back into the contest after getting outscored by 70-47 in the first half.

Toronto Raptors Player Facts

• Pascal Siakam ranks 9th amongst qualified Forwards for assists per game (4.8) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Raptors rank 30th in the league for H1 points per game this season (49.7).
• The Raptors rank 29th in the league for Q2 points per game this season (24.1).
• The Celtics rank 1st in the league for point differential per game this season (+13.4).
• The Celtics rank 1st in the league for rebounds per game this season (47.9).

Peter's Pick

The Celtics could be shorthanded here as Kristaps Porzingis and Jaylen Brown are both questionable, while the Raptors could be missing OG Anunoby who is listed as doubtful. The Celtics are one of the hottest teams in the league, they've lost just twice so far and just took down the 76ers in their own building. The Raptors haven't been too bad themselves and they are more than capable of pulling off the upset, especially if the Celtics are shorthanded. Be sure to check the lineups before tipoff, but as it stands, I like the Raptors to come out with a solid performance and at least get the cover at home.

The pick in this article is the opinion of the writer, not a PickDawgz site consensus.