The Boston Celtics are on track with their title defense, winning all three pre-season games, and look to stay undefeated against the Toronto Raptors. The TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts, will serve as the battleground on Sunday, October 13, with the tip-off happening at 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time. As expected, the defending champions are the favored team in their home ground against the Canadian-based squad.
The previewing information
Date: October 13, Sunday | Time: 7::00 p.m. Eastern Time
Location: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
Stream: NBA League Pass
Toronto Raptors Vs Boston Celtics Odds, Picks, Moneyline
Moneyline: Raptors (+195) vs Celtics (-238)
Spread: Raptors -2.5 (-112) vs Celtics -3 (-108)
Total (O/U): Raptors (o223.5) vs Celtics (u223.5)
*All odds are subject to change depending on the time of this posting
Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors already have two pre-season games, the most recent of which was against the Washington Wizards. They split the match with one win and one loss. The most recent match was on October 11, and they lost by a wide margin of 18 points, 113-95.
The top scorer was Chris Boucher, who came off the bench with 22 points and seven rebounds in less than 19 minutes of playing time. Scottie Barnes remains tha alpha player, leading the starters with 16 points, while RJ Barrett took a rest in this matchup.
Expect the regular season starters to be active at the start of the matchup with the Celtics and conduct a litmus test on how strong they are and find the weaknesses in their armor.
Players to watch:
RJ Barrett: 20.2 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 3.3 APG
Scottie Barnes: 193.9 PPG, 8.2RPG, 6.1 APG, 1.3 SPG, 1.5 BPG
Immanuel Quickley: 17.7 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 4.9 APG
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics continue their dominance, coming off their championship run in the 2023-24 season by defeating the Denver Nuggets twice. Their most recent win came against the NBA Eastern Conference rivals Philadelphia 76ers, 139-89.
In just 23 minutes, Jayson Tatum contributed across the board with 16 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, one steal and one block, while Jaylen Brown led the scoring department with 18. Luke Kornet was the starting center and has been filling in for Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford.
The Celtics’ efficiency is still in full bloom, and there seems to be no stopping them. With the next game played in front of their home crowd, expect the defending champions to try to put on a show.
Players to Watch:
Jayson Tatum: 25.0 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 6.3 APG, 1.1 SPG
Jaylen Brown: 23.9 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 3.3 APG, 1.2 SPG
Derrick White: 16.7 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 4.1 APG, 1.2 BPG
Toronto Raptors Vs Boston Celtics Injury Report
Toronto Raptors
Ja’Kobe Walter SG Day-To-Tay – Shoulder
RJ Barrett SG SG Out – Shoulder
Bruce Brown PG Out – Knee
Boston Celtics
Kristaps Porzingis PF Out – Foot
Toronto Raptors Vs Boston Celtics Summary and Prediction
The Boston Celtics are too deep to be defeated, and their bench is far superior to that of the Toronto Raptors. The spread will be covered, but the low-scoring potential of the Raptors may pull the total under.
Moneyline: Celtics -120
Spread: Celtics -1.5
Total: Under 222.5
Score: 120-108, Celtics win.
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