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The Toronto Raptors and Boston Celtics will play in an Eastern Conference matchup on Friday night. It's time to continue our NBA odds series and make a Raptors-Celtics prediction and pick.
The Raptors and Celtics both dropped their season openers and will be looking for their first win of the season when they face each other on Friday night. The Raptors lost long-time starting point guard Kyle Lowry to the Miami Heat this offseason, while Boston lost two of their best guards (Kemba Walker and Evan Fournier) from last season to the New York Knicks. Both teams still bring back talent, however, as Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown make for one of the best young wing combos in the NBA, if not the best. The Raptors still have a deep team and will look to find their magic from seasons past under coach Nick Nurse.
Here's how the bookmakers have set the Raptors-Celtics odds for this Friday matchup.
NBA Odds: Raptors-Celtics Odds
Toronto Raptors +6.5 (-110), +215 ML
Boston Celtics -6.5 (-110), -260 ML
Over 218 points (-110)
Under 218 points (-110)
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Why The Raptors Can Cover The Spread
The Raptors don't quite have the star power of a Jayson Tatum, but they are a deep team. Pascal Siakam and O.G. Anunoby will look to take leaps into that star category this season in the absence of Kyle Lowry. Fred VanVleet, Gary Trent Jr. and others will look to contribute as shooters, with the inside being in good shape as well with the likes of Chris Boucher and Precious Achiuwa. Boston might be a little bit better on paper, but the Raptors have depth and 6.5 points is big enough to at least consider taking the Raptors. Toronto is tough to gauge coming off of last season, which was derailed for them by COVID outbreaks and the fact that they had to play their home games in Tampa. They may take a step back without Lowry, but don't judge them just yet after a single loss.
Why The Celtics Can Cover The Spread
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are a tough duo to slow down. They combined for 66 points, 20 rebounds and 10 assists in Boston's season opening loss to the Knicks. Dennis Schroder replaces Kemba Walker at point guard for the Celtics this season, and he was solid with 12 points and eight assists in the opener. The Celtics will look to continue building chemistry, and they're a solid play at home at -6.5 vs. a team they should beat. While Boston hasn't been the most consistent team for the last year or so, look for Tatum and Brown to reestablish a winning culture this season.
Final Raptors-Celtics Prediction & Pick
The Raptors might take a few weeks to gel. Without Lowry, they're still trying to figure out who should facilitate what, and when. Take the Celtics to cover the spread on Friday.
FINAL RAPTORS-CELTICS PREDICTION & PICK: Celtics -6.5 (-110)
