Toronto Raptors vs. Boston Celtics - 12/28/19 NBA Picks, Odds, and Prediction

Game: Toronto Raptors vs Boston Celtics

Date: Saturday, December 28, 2019

Location: TD Garden in Boston, MA

TV: NBC Sports Boston

Odds/Point Spread: Boston -7.5

Total/Over-Under: 216

TD Garden is the venue where Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics (21-7, 1st in the Atlantic Division) will play the Toronto Raptors (21-10, 3rd in the Atlantic Division) on Saturday. Boston opens this matchup as 7.5 point favorites. The total has been set at 216.

The Raptors are covering the spread 58.1% of the time, having gone 18-13-0 ATS. Boston covers the spread 69.2% of the time, going 18-8-2 against the spread.

Key Toronto Raptors Injuries

12/25/2019 Dewan Hernandez C Ankle Expected to be out until at least Jan 2
12/25/2019 Pascal Siakam PF Groin Expected to be out until at least Jan 2
12/25/2019 Norman Powell SG Shoulder Expected to be out until at least Jan 2
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

Key Boston Celtics Injuries

12/26/2019 Marcus Smart PG Eye 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

Player Spotlight

OG Anunoby comes into this game averaging 11.3 points per contest while playing 30.2 minutes per night this year. He grabs 5.8 rebounds per contest and distributes 1.6 assists per game. His FG percentage is 50% while his free throw percentage is 63%. Fred VanVleet averages 18.1 points per contest in 36.3 minutes per game. He averages 7.0 assists per game and 3.9 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage is 41% for the season while his free throw percentage is 87%.

Player Spotlight

Jayson Tatum scores 21.3 points per contest while playing 34.1 minutes per game. He hauls in 7.2 rebounds per contest and has 2.9 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is at 84%. Jaylen Brown averages 20.2 points per game this year and he sees the court an average of 33.6 minutes per game. He also brings in 7.0 rebounds per game and has 2.4 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 51% and his free throw percentage is 75%.

Useful Team Statistics

Toronto averages 111.7 points per contest, which is 12th in the league. Their average scoring margin is 5.0 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a unit, which has them ranked 19th. From 3-point territory they shoot 37%, which is good for 4th in the NBA. They average 46.1 boards per contest and 25.0 assists per game, which ranks them 11th and 11th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 15th with 15.0 per game. The Raptors allow 106.8 points per contest, which is 8th in the NBA. They also surrender a 42% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 2nd and 6th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 48.2 rebounds a game which ranks 30th, and they allow 25.7 assists per game which puts them in 26th place in the league. They force 16.5 turnovers per game which ranks them 27th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Boston is 14th in the NBA with 111.4 points per contest this season. They are 14th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is 8.25. They shoot 36% from beyond the arc, which is good for 13th in the league. They are 10th in the NBA in rebounding with 46.1 boards per contest and 20th in assists per game with 23.3. The Celtics are 25th in turnovers per contest with 13.8. The Celtics give up 103.2 points per game, which ranks them 2nd in the league. Their defense surrenders a 43% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 5th and 7th in those defensive statistics. They rank 5th with 22.6 dimes allowed per game and 9th with 44.4 boards surrendered per contest. The Celtics are 24th in the league in forcing turnovers with 15.9 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Raptors are 13th in the league in defensive rating with 104.8, and their offensive rating of 109.6 is ranked 5th. They are 13th in the NBA in pace with 100.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% is 15th. As a unit they are 13th in the league in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 40% of their shot attempts, ranking 8th in the NBA. Toronto is 15th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.1 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 49%, which is 29th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Boston is 24th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.2 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 50%, which is 24th in the NBA. The Celtics are 5th in the league in defensive rating with 103.9, and their offensive rating of 112.2 is ranked 2nd. They are 21st in the NBA in pace with 99 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% is 12th. 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 15th in the NBA.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Boston -7.5

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