Free NBA Pick: Raptors vs. Celtics NBA Odds
Looking for Toronto Raptors vs. Boston Celtics free NBA picks & NBA odds? NBA betting sees the Raptors taking on the Celtics on Friday, October 22nd, 2021 at TD Garden. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NBA basketball matchups so stay tuned for more FREE daily NBA hoops predictions like this Raptors Celtics matchup.
2021 NBA Handicapping
(0-1) Toronto Raptors vs. Boston Celtics (0-1)
Date: Friday, October 22nd
Time: 7:30 PM EST
Venue: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
NBA Moneyline Odds: Raptors +220 | Celtics -270 (Bet Now!)
NBA Betting Odds: Raptors +6.5 | Celtics -6.5
NBA Betting Total: 219
Friday, October 22nd finds Atlantic Division rivals the Toronto Raptors facing the Boston Celtics in their second games of this 2021-22 season.
Both clubs lost their season openers with the Raptors falling to the Wizards while the Celtics lost a heartbreaker in double-overtime to the Knicks.
The Celtics hold the all-time record between the clubs with 60 wins in 100 meetings. Last season, the teams played three times with Boston sweeping the series and having won six of the past seven contests.
Toronto Raptors
The Sixth man was definitely on hand in Toronto as fans welcomed back the Raptors after almost 20 months of no competitive games at Scotiabank Arena.
While many pundits have tagged this club as a certain lottery pick I haven’t been on that side of the equation but the opener offered up plenty of ammunition for why this Toronto club could struggle and it all fell on the offensive end of the court.
It didn’t help that the players expected to lead the way offensively had rough nights. Specifically, Fred VanVleent shot 5 of 20 for 12 points while OG Anunoby who was spectacular in preseason shot 3 of 17 for 11 points (registered a double-double with 10 rebounds).
If either one shoots to their typical percentage the Raptors have a shot at winning because the defense was on point holding Bradley Beal to 7 of 19 and Kyle Kuzma to 4 of 13. Toronto also defended the perimeter well limiting Washington to five 3-pointers (on 27 attempts). Albeit, they shot only 7 of 34 themselves from deep.
Both rookies made their mark in the home opener with Scottie Barnes tying VanVleet for most points (12) and came within a rebound of a double-double but got a taste of how the pro game functions as he coughed up the ball six times.
Hometown hero, Dalano Banton scored his first NBA bucket on a half-court buzzer-beater to end the third frame. Chris Boucher was a surprise participant returning ahead of schedule from surgery (dislocated finger) but looked rusty in his 18 minutes (3 of 10 from field and 1 of 6 from deep).
Chris Boucher was a surprise participant returning ahead of schedule from surgery (dislocated finger) but looked rusty in his 18 minutes (3 of 10).
Boston Celtics
After missing 10 days relegated to quarantine because of contracting the COVID virus Jaylen Brown almost single-handedly won the game for the Celtics as he scored a career-best 46 points. Brown shot 16 of 30 connecting on eight 3-pointers while adding nine rebounds, six assists, three steals, and a block.
Unfortunately, the other Celtics star Jayson Tatum had an off shooting night going 7 for 30 and an abysmal 2 of 15 from deep. Tatum did register a double-double of 20 points and 11 rebounds.
Robert Williams also collected a double-double (16 points, 10 rebounds) and was perfect from the field as he was among seven Celtics who registered double-digit scoring.
Dennis Schroder produced 12 points and eight assists for his new team coming off the bench but was a team-worst minus 16.
NBA Betting Trends:
- Celtics are 7-3 in the teams last 10 head to head meetings
- Celtics are 7-3 ATS in the last 10 head to head meetings
- Over/Under is 4-6 in the teams last 10 head to head meetings
Free Toronto Raptors vs. Boston Celtics NBA Prediction:
The Celtics have owned the Raptors the past few seasons although the games are typically highly competitive. Both clubs will want to rebound from the loss with Boston needing to be better defensively and the Raptors needing to get the offense rolling.
As for injuries, for Toronto, Pascal Siakam remains out (although he’s progressed to contact practice) and Yuta Watanabe (calf) is questionable while Al Horford (protocols) and Josh Richardson (migraine) are questionable for the Celtics.
4* Free NBA Betting Pick: Raptors +6.5
It’s not likely Tatum, VanVleet, and Anunoby will all suffer back-to-back games struggling offensively but the question is whether the Raptors can find enough overall offense to stay close.
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