Boston Celtics vs. Toronto Raptors - 12/25/19 NBA Picks, Odds, and Prediction

Game: Boston Celtics vs Toronto Raptors

Date: Wednesday, December 25, 2019

Location: Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, ON

TV: ESPN

Odds/Point Spread: Toronto -3

Total/Over-Under: 213.5

Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics (20-7, 1st in the Atlantic Division) head to Scotiabank Arena on Christmas Day where they'll meet the Toronto Raptors (21-9, 2nd in the Atlantic Division). Boston opens this contest as 3 point underdogs. The O/U is set at 213.5.

The Celtics cover the spread 68.0% of the time, having gone 17-8-2 ATS. Toronto is covering 60.0% of the time, going 18-12-0 against the spread.

Key Boston Celtics Injuries

12/23/2019 Marcus Smart PG Eye Game Time Decision
12/22/2019 Gordon Hayward SF Foot Game Time Decision
12/18/2019 Vincent Poirier C Finger Expected to be out until at least Jan 20
12/16/2019 Robert Williams C Hip Expected to be out until at least Jan 6

Key Toronto Raptors Injuries

12/23/2019 Dewan Hernandez C Ankle Game Time Decision
12/20/2019 Norman Powell SG Shoulder Expected to be out until at least Jan 1
12/20/2019 Pascal Siakam PF Groin Expected to be out until at least Jan 1
12/20/2019 Matt Thomas SG Finger Expected to be out until at least Jan 4
12/19/2019 Marc Gasol C Hamstring Expected to be out until at least Dec 31

Player Spotlight

Jayson Tatum comes into this contest averaging 21.6 points per game while playing 34.1 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 7.1 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.8 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 42% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 84%. Jaylen Brown averages 19.8 points per game in 33.5 minutes per contest this season. He averages 2.4 assists per contest and 7.0 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 50% for the year while his free throw percentage is 75%.

Player Spotlight

OG Anunoby averages 11.5 points per game while playing 30.4 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 6.0 rebounds per game and has 1.7 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 50% and his free throw percentage is at 63%. Fred VanVleet averages 17.8 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 36.4 minutes per contest. He also averages 3.9 rebounds per contest and 7.0 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 40% and his free throw percentage is 87%.

Useful Team Statistics

Boston averages 111.2 points per contest this season, which ranks them 15th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 8.0 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team, which has them ranked 16th. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 16th in the league. They average 46.1 rebounds per game and 23.1 assists per game, which ranks them 9th and 20th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 27th with 13.6 per game. The Celtics allow 103.2 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 2nd in the league. They also allow a 43% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc, ranking them 3rd and 7th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 44.8 rebounds a game which ranks 10th and they give up 22.9 assists per contest, which puts them in 6th place in the league. They force 15.9 turnovers per game which ranks them 23rd in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Toronto is 12th in the league with 112.1 points per game this year. They are 20th in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is 5.7. They shoot 37% from 3-point range, which is good for 4th in the NBA. They are 7th in the league in rebounding with 46.4 boards per game, and 9th in assists per contest with 25.3. The Raptors are 17th in turnovers per game with 14.9. The Raptors surrender 106.4 points per contest, which ranks them 8th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 42% shooting percentage and a 33% average from 3-point range, ranking them 2nd and 3rd in those defensive statistics. They rank 26th with 25.7 assists allowed per contest and 30th with 48.3 rebounds surrendered per game. The Raptors are 27th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 16.4 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Celtics are 5th in the league in defensive rating with 103.9, and their offensive rating of 111.9 is ranked 3rd. They are 23rd in the NBA in pace with 98.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% is 14th. As a unit they are 14th in the league in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 39% of their shot attempts, ranking 13th in the NBA. Boston is 24th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.1 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.1 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 50%, which is 24th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Toronto is 16th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.1 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 49%, which is 29th in the league. The Raptors are 10th in the NBA in offensive rating with 109.9, and their defensive rating of 104.3 is ranked 4th. In terms of pace they are 13th in the league with 100.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 13th. As a team they are 13th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 41% of their shots, ranking 6th in the league.

Who will win tonight's Celtics/Raptors NBA game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take Boston +3

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