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Raptors vs Celtics Odds, Spread & Picks

Chris Amberley

by Chris Amberley in NBA Basketball

Updated Mar 28, 2022 · 12:33 PM PDT

Pascal Siakam lay-up
Mar 21, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam (43) scores against the Chicago Bulls during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
  • The Celtics vs Raptors odds favor Toronto by 7.5-points on Monday (March 28) at 7:30pm ET
  • Boston will be without Jayson Tatum (knee), Jaylen Brown (knee), Al Horford (personal) and Robert Williams III (Knee)
  • Read below for the Celtics vs Raptors odds, analysis, and betting prediction

Monday’s Boston Celtics vs Toronto Raptors contest features the two hottest teams in the East. Boston enters play winners of six straight, and moved to the top of the conference standings after its latest victory.

Toronto meanwhile, has won back-to-back outings, and eight of its past 10 contests to pull into sole possession of sixth place. The sixth seed is obviously a critical spot to be, because it ensures entry into the 1st Round of the playoffs, while seeds seven through 10 battle it out in the Play-In Round.

After opening as small favorites, the line has shifted heavily to Toronto who are now 7.5-point favorites. Public money is still heavily on the Celtics to cover the number.

Celtics vs Raptors Odds

Team Moneyline Spread Total
Boston Celtics +260 +7.5 (-110) O 208.5 (-110)
Toronto Raptors -333 -7.5 (-110) U 208.5 (-110)

Odds as of March 28th at BetMGM.

The reason for the major line move is due to Boston’s injury situation – more on that later. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 pm ET at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, a building where the Raps are 19-16 this season.

Toronto Raptors Betting Analysis

The Raptors’ latest result, a 131-91 victory over Indiana on Saturday, was far from a run-of-the-mill blowout. The game was paused for over 70 minutes in the second quarter due to a fire, forcing the evacuation of fans. No one was allowed to return to the building once the game finally resumed, but after playing in front of an empty stadium for much of the start of 2022, Toronto had no issue adjusting to the silence.

Pascal Siakam led the way with 23 points, while prized rookie Scottie Barnes chipped in 19. Six players in total reached double-figures for the Raps, and the team improved to 15-4 this season when at least that many players score 10 or more points.

https://twitter.com/rapsmuse_nba/status/1508127591584219144

On the injury front, Gary Trent Jr. missed his third straight game with a toe injury and is considered questionable for Monday’s contest. If Toronto’s third leading scorer isn’t cleared in time, the expectation is that he’ll return later this week either on Wednesday or Friday.

Fred VanVleet, who’s dealing with a knee issue, didn’t return after the extended break versus the Pacers. The Raps All-Star point guard has missed two games already this month because of the knee, and reportedly couldn’t get warmed up again to resume playing. He’s currently listed as day-to-day, but the expectation is that he’ll play against Boston.

Toronto’s rock solid defense was on display once again versus Indiana, holding them to 41% from the field, and 30% from three. The Raps have now held 11 of their past 15 opponents to 108 points or less, and rank 12th in defensive rating.

The Raptors currently sit 17th in the NBA title odds at +12000 on average. They are seventh in the odds to win the Eastern Conference at +5000. Monday’s opponent, Boston, is the third-favorite to win the East at +450.

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Boston Celtics Betting Analysis

The Celtics were in action on Sunday night, recording a blowout victory of their own. They smashed Minnesota 134-112, led by Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Tatum scored 34 points, while Brown added 31, marking the seventh time the duo has reached 30 points in the same game this season.

Both are currently dealing with knee injuries, and after playing 34 and 35 minutes respectively versus Minnesota, Tatum and Brown were ruled out of Monday’s game versus Toronto this afternoon.

Elsewhere on the injury front, Al Horford sat out due to personal reasons, while the team lost his replacement Robert Williams III to a knee injury against the T-Wolves. Both have already been ruled out for Monday, and beat reporters are hinting that there’s potential for additional players not to travel to Toronto.

The Celtics have won 24 of their past 28 overall, and are one of the most complete teams in the NBA. They rank 10th in offensive rating and first in defensive rating. No team allows fewer points per game, while they’re holding enemy shooters to the lowest field goal percentage, and three-point efficiency mark.

Two Boston players are among the top-ten favorites in the Defensive Player of the Year odds: Robert Williams (+1300) and Marcus Smart (+4000). Though both are a long way behind the favorite, Miami’s Bam Adebayo (+110).

Celtics vs Raptors Pick

However, don’t discount how big of an impact losing its top-two centers will have on Boston. Both Horford and Williams rank top-52 in defended field goals attempts in the league, and lead the Celtics in that category. Their absence will force Boston to lean on inferior defenders down the middle, and with both Tatum and Brown out, the Celtics will struggle to produce offensively.

Toronto is 8-2 against the spread in its last 10 games, and 9-4 ATS in divisional games this season.

With Boston severely banged up and playing on a back-to-back, let’s roll with Toronto at home.

Pick: Toronto Raptors +1.5 (taken Sunday night)

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