Raptors vs. Celtics Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets

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07 April 2023

Raptors vs. Celtics Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets

Jayson Tatum’s Boston Celtics (55-25) are only 2-point underdogs in Friday’s matchup with Pascal Siakam and the Toronto Raptors (40-40). A 223-point over/under has been set for the game.

Raptors vs. Celtics Odds

Raptors odds to win: -132
Celtics odds to win: +111
Spread: Raptors (-2)
Total: 223

Raptors vs. Celtics Promo Codes

Game Time and Information

When: Friday, April 7, 2023 at 7:30 PM ET
Where: TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts
TV: NBCS-BOS and SportsNet

Who Will Win Raptors vs. Celtics?

Raptors and Celtics Betting Trends, Records Against the Spread

The Raptors are 23-21-1 against the spread when favored by 2 points or more this season.

In games this season in which they were an underdog by 2 points or more, the Celtics have a 4-1 record against the spread.

The two teams average a combined 7.8 more points per game (230.8) than this matchup’s total of 223 points.

Opponents of these teams have averaged a combined 222.8 points per game, 0.2 fewer than the over/under for this matchup.

The average over/under the Raptors have had in their games this year is 1.2 more points than this particular game’s point total.

The average total for Boston’s games this season is 6.4 more points than the point total of 223 in this outing.

Toronto has gone 40-38-2 ATS this season.

The Celtics are 42-35-3 ATS this season.

Raptors Stats & Insights

The Raptors are outscoring opponents by 1.6 points per game with a +124 scoring differential overall. They put up 112.9 points per game (23rd in the NBA) and allow 111.3 per contest (fourth in the league).

The 43.1 rebounds per game the Raptors average rank 16th in the league. Their opponents record 42.2 per contest.

Toronto knocks down 1.4 fewer threes per game than the opposition, 10.8 (24th in the league) compared to its opponents’ 12.2.

The Raptors rank 15th in the league by averaging 112.2 points per 100 possessions on offense, and defensively are 11th in the NBA, allowing 111.4 points per 100 possessions.

The Raptors’ offense has been much better in home games (114.2 PPG) compared to their play on the road (111.6 PPG). Similarly, their defense has been better at home (109.9 PPG allowed) when compared to away games (112.8 PPG allowed).

Celtics Stats & Insights

The Celtics are outscoring opponents by 6.4 points per game, with a +510 scoring differential overall. They put up 117.9 points per game (fourth in NBA) and allow 111.5 per contest (sixth in league).

The 45.2 rebounds per game Boston accumulates rank seventh in the league, 1.1 more than the 44.1 its opponents record.

The Celtics hit 15.9 three-pointers per game (second-most in the league) while shooting 37.6% from beyond the arc (sixth-best in NBA). They are making 4.2 more threes than their opponents, who drain 11.7 per game at 34.7%.

The Celtics average 115.6 points per 100 possessions (third in league), while conceding 108.7 points per 100 possessions (third in NBA).

Boston averages 120.5 points per game at home, and 115.4 away.

Raptors Key Players to Watch

The scoring leader for the Raptors this season is Siakam (among active players), who averages 24.3 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game.

Fred VanVleet is averaging 19.5 points, 7.2 assists and 4.1 rebounds per game, while Jakob Poeltl adds 12.7 points, 2.8 assists and 9.2 rebounds per matchup.

VanVleet leads active Raptors in three-point shooting, making an average of three shots per game from beyond the arc.

OG Anunoby averages 1.9 steals per game, while Poeltl swats 1.2 shots per contest.

Celtics Key Players to Watch

Tatum holds the top Celtics spot in two categories among active players: scoring (30.2 points per game) and rebounding (8.8 rebounds per game). He also dishes out 4.6 assists per contest.

Marcus Smart’s per-game averages this season are 11.5 points, 6.3 assists and 3.1 rebounds.

Tatum averages 3.3 made threes per game.

The Celtics’ defensive effort gets a lift from Smart’s 1.5 steals and Derrick White’s one block per game.