Not many would have predicted it going into the season, but when the Toronto Raptors host the Boston Celtics tonight, it will be a matchup between two of the top teams in the East.
Although Boston has dominated this matchup in recent years, I expect an upstart Toronto team to buck that trend on home court.
My Celtics vs. Raptors predictions break it all down and bring you my favorite NBA picks for Saturday, December 20.
Celtics vs Raptors prediction
Celtics vs Raptors best bet: Raptors -2 (-110)
With Jayson Tatum out for a year, people weren’t expecting too much from the Boston Celtics this season.
But Jaylen Brown has been incredible, the Celtics' role players have stepped up, and they have been one of the best 3-point shooting teams in the NBA. That’s allowed them to go 11-4 straight up and against the spread over their last 15 games.
Meanwhile, the Toronto Raptors got off to a fast start this year, which included a 13-1 SU and 11-3 ATS stretch. Then RJ Barrett got hurt, and Toronto went 1-6 SU and 0-7 ATS. But the Raps have started to pull themselves out of that tailspin, winning and covering their last two games.
The Raps will be slight two-point home underdogs for this divisional matchup, with the Celtics playing their second game in as many nights after taking down the Miami Heat 129-116 as 8-point home favorites.
These two met back on Dec. 7 with the Celtics winning 121-113 as 3.5-point road favorites. The Raptors' normally strong perimeter defense struggled in that game, allowing Boston to go 20-47 from 3-point range.
I expect the Raptors to clamp down on the 3-point line much better this time around. This is a Toronto team that ranks eighth in defensive rating and limits opponents to the fourth-lowest 3-point shooting percentage.
I’m betting the Celtics get some heavy legs as this game wears on, which will not only hurt them on their attempts from deep, but on the other end of the floor as well, where they rank 18th in defensive rating, allowing the Raptors to pull away late to win and cover this spread.
Enjoying Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account
Celtics vs Raptors same-game parlay
If the Raptors want to win this game, they’ll also have to dominate on the glass. The Celtics aren’t an overly big team this season, and it shows in their rebounding numbers: they rank 18th in rebounding rate.
And with Jakob Poeltl potentially out, they’ll need contributions from everyone on the floor. So, let’s add both Scottie Barnes Over 9.5 rebounds and Immanuel Quickley Over 3.5 rebounds to this SGP.
Barnes is averaging 8.7 rebounds over his last 11 games, hitting double digits seven times over that stretch. Immanuel Quickley averages 4.3 rebounds per game and has gone Over 3.5 in eight of his last 14 games overall.
Celtics vs Raptors SGP
- Raptors -2
- Scottie Barnes Over 9.5 rebounds
- Immanuel Quickley Over 3.5 rebounds
Our "from downtown" SGP: White Out!
Even if the Raptors improve on the perimeter, the Celtics are still going to jack up threes, and Derrick White has hit five or more in a game in five of his last six games.
Celtics vs Raptors SGP
- Raptors -2
- Scottie Barnes Over 9.5 rebounds
- Immanuel Quickley Over 3.5 rebounds
- Derrick White Over 4.5 threes
Celtics vs Raptors odds
- Spread: Celtics +2 (-110) | Raptors -2 (-110)
- Moneyline: Celtics +105 | Raptors -125
- Over/Under: Over 221(-110) | Under 221(-110)
Celtics vs Raptors betting trend to know
The Raptors have covered the 3Q Spread in 45 of their last 70 games for +16.95 Units and a 21% ROI. Find more NBA betting trends for Celtics vs. Raptors.
How to watch Celtics vs Raptors
| Location | Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON |
| Date | Saturday, December 20, 2025 |
| Tip-off | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | NBCSB, TSN |
Celtics vs Raptors latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
