1. Game Overview:
The Toronto Raptors will travel to face the Boston Celtics in an Eastern Conference matchup on January 9th. The game is scheduled to tip off at 7:10 PM EST at TD Garden in Boston. The Celtics have taken both prior meetings between the two teams this season.
2. Team Form and Analysis:
Boston Celtics
The Celtics enter this contest with a strong 23-13 overall record, including a 12-7 record on their home court. They have been in excellent form recently, posting a 4-1 record over their last five games. A key to Boston’s success has been their disciplined play; they currently lead the NBA with the fewest turnovers per game, averaging just 11.9. This efficiency has helped them maintain a +7.0 average margin of victory. One of their key players, Jaylen Brown, was recently named the NBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week, highlighting the team’s high level of performance heading into this game.
Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors come into this game with a solid 23-15 record. They have been particularly effective on the road, compiling an impressive 11-7 record away from home. Over their last 10 games, the Raptors are 6-4 and have averaged 110.6 points per game. Led by key contributors like Scottie Barnes, Toronto has proven to be a competitive team in the East. Their ability to win on the road will be a critical factor in this divisional showdown against a tough Celtics squad.
3. Injury Report:
The status of several key players could impact this matchup.
- Boston Celtics: Forward Jayson Tatum (Achilles) is a significant name on the report and is expected to be out until at least April 1. Forward Josh Minott (Ankle) is listed as a game-time decision.
- Toronto Raptors: Center Jakob Poeltl (Back), forward Brandon Ingram (Thumb), and guard Chucky Hepburn (Knee) are all listed as game-time decisions.
4. ATS Trends:
Against the spread (ATS), the Boston Celtics have been one of the league’s more reliable teams. They hold a 21-15-0 ATS record, covering the spread in 58.3% of their games. Their performance has exceeded betting expectations by an average of 2.9 points per game.
The Toronto Raptors have found less success against the spread this season. Their ATS record stands at 17-21-0, which translates to a 44.7% cover rate. Despite this, they have an ATS margin of +0.4, indicating their games are often closer than the point spread suggests.
5. Betting Odds Breakdown:
- Spread: The Boston Celtics are favored by 7 points (-7). This means for a bet on the Celtics to win, they must win the game by more than 7 points. The Raptors are 7-point underdogs (+7), and a bet on them wins if they win the game outright or lose by 6 points or fewer.
- Total: The over/under is set at 224.5 points. Bettors can wager on whether the combined final score of both teams will be over or under this total.
- Moneyline: The moneyline was not provided, but the -7 spread indicates the Celtics are considered the clear favorites to win the game outright.
6. Prediction:
The Boston Celtics’ path to victory involves leveraging their strong home-court advantage and disciplined, low-turnover offense. Even without Jayson Tatum, the recent performance of players like Jaylen Brown shows they have the offensive firepower to control a game. Having already defeated the Raptors twice this season, the Celtics will look to repeat that success by executing their system efficiently.
The Toronto Raptors’ path to an upset, or at least a cover, relies on their proven ability to win on the road (11-7 record). The absence of Jayson Tatum for Boston presents a major opportunity for Toronto to exploit a significant gap in the Celtics’ lineup. If their game-time decision players are available, the Raptors have the personnel to challenge Boston and keep the score close.
While the Celtics have been the superior team this season and are strong at home, the 7-point spread is considerable for a team missing its top player. The Raptors have been a resilient road team. Expect Boston to secure the win, but Toronto’s ability to compete on the road and the absence of Tatum should allow them to keep the game within the spread.
Prediction: Boston Celtics 114, Toronto Raptors 110. (Raptors cover +7)
Disclaimer: This article is for entertainment purposes only. All betting information is provided for informational purposes and is not a recommendation to wager.
Sources:
Boston Celtics vs. Toronto Raptors Head-to-Head in the NBA …
Boston Celtics vs Toronto Raptors Basketball Head To Head, Score …
Celtics Vs Raptors Head To Head Record This Season | StatMuse
Boston Celtics v Toronto Raptors LIVE 10/01/2026 | Basketball …
2025-26 Team Comparison – Toronto Raptors vs. Boston Celtics …
Boston Celtics vs Toronto Raptors head to head
Boston Celtics vs Toronto Raptors History – NBA
Celtics vs Raptors scores & predictions | Sofascore
Celtics vs. Raptors: Upcoming Game Tickets & Matchup Info
NBA Team Standings & Stats | NBA.com