Celtics vs. Raptors Prediction
The Boston Celtics have dropped back-to-back games, including as a 10-point road favorite in a 126-116 loss to the Bulls in their last contest. Are the Celtics a poor bet to at least cover the spread tonight in Toronto where they’ll visit the Raptors at 8:00 p.m. ET?
Game Snapshot
503 Boston Celtics at 504 Toronto Raptors
8:00 p.m. ET, Tuesday, February 26, 2019
Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, Ontario
Our NBA Live Odds page pulls spreads and totals from multiple different online sportsbooks so you can compare betting odds to ensure you’re getting the best line.
Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers from online sportsbook BetNow.eu, the Raptors are 3.5-point favorites to beat the Celtics. The total, meanwhile, sits at 226.5 points and as of this writing, 65% of the public betting tickets wagered at online sportsbooks are on the Raptors to cover the point spread.
Boston Celtics Fantasy Spin
Jayson Tatum said he believes he’ll be an All-Star next season. “It wasn’t this year, so it will be next year,” Tatum added. “There are definitely certain guys that are able to achieve things at faster rates than others, and I know I can be one of them. Nobody puts higher expectations on me than myself.” Tatum’s name has been all over the rumor mill because of the Anthony Davis circus, and he could be on his way to New Orleans this summer if GM Danny Ainge goes all in for The Brow. “I’ll play basketball anywhere,” Tatum said. “I’ll play for whoever wants me.”
Toronto Raptors Fantasy Spin
Kawhi Leonard (load management) will not play Sunday against the Magic. This isn’t on either side of a back-to-back set, so it’s sort of surprising that he’s going to sit out. The Raptors have shown that they’ll take no chances with Leonard, sitting him whenever necessary to ensure his freshness come May and June. Norman Powell, Jeremy Lin, OG Anunoby and Patrick McCaw will soak up Leonard’s minutes on Sunday, with the possibility of coach Nick Nurse potentially playing big with Pascal Siakam, Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol together against the Magic’s big frontcourt trio. The Raptors next game is in primetime on Tuesday against the Celtics.
NBA Betting Trends
Boston
The Celtics are 5-2 against the spread in their last seven games against the rest of the Eastern Conference.
Toronto
The Raptors are 0-5 at the betting window in their last five games when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Prediction
The Raptors are winless against the spread in their last five games overall, are 0-4 against the number in their last four home games and have dropped four straight at the betting window coming off one day of rest. On the other side, the Celtics are 35-17-1 against the spread in their last 53 games versus an opponent with a winning percentage above .600.
Tuesday NBA Prediction: Boston Celtics +3.5