Toronto Raptors vs Boston Celtics Prediction, Preview and Odds - 10/22/2021

Game Time: 7:30 pm ET, Friday, October 22, 2021

Venue:  TD Garden, Boston, MA

Where to Watch:  NBCS-BOS

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Raptors +6.5, Celtics -6.5; Over/Under:  219.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Raptors +6.5, Celtics -6.5; Over/Under:  219 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Raptors NL, Celtics NL; Over/Under:  NL points

 

Toronto Raptors:  0-1 (4th place, Atlantic Division)

Boston Celtics:  0-1 (3rd place, Atlantic Division)

 

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Toronto Raptors:  lost at home on Oct. 20 against the Washington Wizards 98-83.

Boston Celtics:  lost on the road on Oct. 20 against the New York Knicks in double overtime 138-134.

 

 

 

The Raptors are coming into this game with a 0-1 record to start off their season. They lost their first game of the season in their home opener on Wednesday night 98-83 against the Wizards. They never really gained their footing in that game trailing from start to finish and did not even give themselves a chance in that one. The offense really produced nothing in that game as Fred VanVleet and Scottie Barnes both led the team in points with 12 each. VanVleet had 4 assists and 3 rebounds while Barnes had 1 assist and 9 rebounds. OG Anunoby was right behind them with 11 points, 1 assist and 10 rebounds, those 3 were the only players to score over 10 points each for the Raptors in that one. VanVleet along with Goran Dragic led the team in assists with 4 while Anunoby led the team in rebounds with his 10. The Raptors opened as a 3.5 point favorite in that game with the closing line getting down to 2.5 points while the point total opened at 220 points and got up to 223 by closing. They did not cover that spread and they even lost that game straight up on the moneyline as a favorite with the game staying under the total with 181 total points as neither team reached 100 points.

 

 

The Celtics are coming into this game with a 0-1 record overall to start off their season. They lost their season opener in New York against the Knicks on Wednesday night and will now be back in Boston for their home opener in this game on Friday night. They lost that game 138-134 in double OT as it was a very close game near the end after the Celtics blew their lead from the first half allowing the Knicks to make a comeback in the second half. The Knicks then took the lead in the third quarter and coughed it back up right at the end of the fourth quarter. Jaylen Brown had a massive game for the Celtics as he led the team in points with 46 along with 6 assists and 9 rebounds. Jayson Tatum was 2nd on the team with 20 points in that game along with 4 assists and 11 rebounds. Dennis Schroder led the team in assists off the bench with 8 in that game while Tatum led the team in rebounds with 11. The Celtics opened as a 1 point underdog in that game with the line getting up to 2.5 by closing while the point total opened at 217.5 and got up to 219 by closing. They did not cover the spread in that game losing by 4 points and the double overtime helped that game shoot way over the total with 272 total points in the game.

 

 

The Celtics are coming into this game as a 6.5 point favorite with the current betting odds according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Celtics actually looked really good in the first half before blowing their lead in the 3rd quarter but still fought back in the 4th to make it a game and even forced 2 OTs in a game that they were not even supposed to win but it turned into anyone's game by the end. The Raptors looked awful in their first game as their offense was completely shut down in that game and their defense had some trouble keeping the game within reach. It will be really hard for them to keep Brown in check in this game and he could be the key player that tips the scales for Boston here. The best bet to place in this game is on the Celtics to cover the spread as they are just a much better team and the Raptors have no offense with the way they are playing right now.

 

Raptors Celtics Prediction:  Our NBA Pick for Friday, October 22, 2021 (7:30 pm ET start time) is Celtics 112 Raptors 91.

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Toronto Raptors: 1019-1014 ATS in all games. 544-518 ATS as an underdog. 390-349 ATS as a road underdog. 519-483 ATS in road games. 251-245 ATS vs. division opponents.

Boston Celtics: 565-596 ATS as a favorite. 396-405 ATS as a home favorite. 518-549 ATS in home games. 525-540 ATS after one or more consecutive overs.

 

 

Toronto Raptors:  Y. Watanabe (SG) Out Fri - Calf injury. P. Siakam (PF) Early Nov - Shoulder injury.

Boston Celtics:  M. Smart (PG) Prob Fri - Knee injury. A. Horford (C) Ques Fri - Illness. J. Richardson (SG) Prob Fri - Migraine.

 

 

Toronto Raptors: Fred VanVleet is one player to watch in this matchup. He led the team in points and in assists in their last game and was really their only form of offense in that game. He will need to carry the team here as they do not have a very strong lineup so look for him to step up here and have a much better game than he did in their season opener.

 

Boston Celtics: Jaylen Brown is one player to watch in this contest. He led the team in points in their last game and he was a beast in that game with almost 50 points right off the bat in their first game back from the offseason. He will be a strong offensive force in this game and will be tough to stop here so look for him to have another massive game in this one.

 

 

"We weren't really executing much of anything at either end." - Nick Nurse on his team’s performance in their season opening loss.

 

 

"He carried us tonight. Plays he was making, shots he was hitting, he was unbelievable and I wish I could have did my part." - Jayson Tatum on Jaylen Brown’s performance in their season opener.

 

 

 

PG    Goran Dragic

SG    Fred VanVleet

SF    OG Anunoby

PF    Pascal Siakam 

C    Precious Achiuwa

 

PG    Marcus Smart 

SG    Jaylen Brown

SF    Jayson Tatum

PF    Grant Williams

C    Robert Williams III

 

 

PPG: F. VanVleet (12)

APG: F. VanVleet (4)

Reb/G: O. Anunoby (10)

 

PPG: J. Brown (46)

APG: D. Schroder (8)

Reb/G: J. Tatum (11)

 

Coaches:

Toronto Raptors: Nick Nurse (4th season)

Boston Celtics: Ime Udoka (1st season)