Celtics vs Raptors Odds & Picks (Jan. 21)

• The red-hot Celtics take on the Raptors Saturday
• Boston is enjoying an eight-game winning streak at the moment
• Keep reading for the odds, preview, and Celtics vs Raptors prediction

The NBA’s best team heads North on Saturday as the Boston Celtics (34-12, 16-7 away) prepare for a matchup with the slumping Toronto Raptors (20-26, 14-11 home) at Scotiabank Arena. The tip-off is scheduled for 5pm ET. The Celtics vs Raptors prediction can be found below.

The C’s are absolutely flourishing right now and just nabbed their eighth consecutive victory on Thursday in a rematch of the NBA Finals, beating the Golden State Warriors 121-118 in overtime. It’s been a different story for the Toronto Raptors, who have dropped back-to-back games to the Milwaukee Bucks and Minnesota Timberwolves.

Celtics vs Raptors Odds

Odds as of January 20th at DraftKings.

Despite a drastic difference in records, the Celtics are just a 2-point favorite here because franchise star Jayson Tatum is sidelined due to wrist soreness. Boston has moneyline odds of -130, while the Raps come back at +110.

The C’s already took down Toronto in early December, 116-110.

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Celtics Looking Like Title Favorites

If there is one team in the Association that looks like a serious title contender currently, it’s the Celtics. While Joe Mazzulla’s squad did have a small slump towards the end of 2022, they’ve played tremendous basketball the rest of the time, sitting at 34-12. That’s much in part to their exhilarating duo of Tatum and Jaylen Brown, who is easily the best 1-2 punch in the league.

Tatum is firmly in the 2023 NBA MVP odds conversation, averaging 31.2 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 4.3 assists on 35% shooting from deep. Brown, meanwhile, is putting up 26.9 points, 7.1 boards, and 3.2 dimes while draining 33% of his triples. The two certainly made their presence felt against the Dubs, combining for 50 points. Tatum collected 34 points and 19 rebounds on his own as the entire first unit finished with a minimum of 14. Balance.

Veteran Al Horford came up huge in the extra period as well, hitting a clutch triple to put the C’s up seven with just 1:30 remaining. Brown also stepped up in the fourth, sinking a key trey to force OT. He’ll be expected to rise to the occasion on Saturday without Tatum balling out alongside him.

Raptors in Rough Shape

There have already been rumblings Toronto could be sellers at the trade deadline and with the team continuing to slide, it’s feeling more and more like a possibility. The Raptors are just 4-6 in their last 10 contests, putting them at 20-26, which is 11th in the Eastern Conference.

Thursday’s loss to the Timberwolves just summed up their season. Nick Nurse’s squad had a 14-point lead midway through the fourth quarter but scored a mere seven points in the last 9:46. Toronto went absolutely cold offensively and faltered defensively, getting outscored 27-17 in the final period.

Despite the lackluster ending to the contest, the Raptors showed some promise, shooting 50% from deep and outscoring Minny 62-46 in the paint. Scottie Barnes scored 29 points, while Fred VanVleet added 25 and dished out 10 dimes. Boston is a terrific team, but with Tatum sitting, the Raps have half a chance on Saturday.

Celtics vs Raptors Prediction

These two teams split the season series in 2021-22. Plus, the winning streak has to end eventually, right? Toronto should come out with a ton of fire after letting a victory slip through their fingertips. I’m liking the Raps to bring the Celtics back down to earth on home court. Boston is 10-17 all-time when Tatum isn’t available, too. That’s the statistic standing out.

Pick: Raptors moneyline (+110)