eltic
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 Thursday, March 4, 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
(17-17) Toronto Raptors vs. Boston Celtics (18-17)
Date: Thursday, March 4
Time: 7:00 PM EST
Venue: TD Garden, Boston, MA.
NBA Moneyline Odds: Raptors +265 | Celtics -345
NBA Betting Odds: Celtics -7.5
NBA Betting Total: O/U 217
Toronto Raptors
Toronto hosts Detroit on Wednesday before flying out to play this game on the final day of the NBA’s first half schedule.
It has not been in action since February 26 after a game was postponed. The Raptors defeated Houston on that night, 122–111.
Normal Powell, Kyle Lowry and Fred VanVleet combined for 75 points. Powell’s 30 marked his second such game this season. He hit for at least 30 on three different occasions last year, the first three since netting one in his rookie season.
Toronto is still priced as a favorite to make the playoffs in the Eastern Conference but futures prices have been somewhat depressed, perhaps because of the Lowry trade rumors.
For now, Lowry remains a Raptor and the team is in the middle of the playoff bracket but just a game ahead of eighth-seeded Charlotte.
This will actually be the final regular season meet-up between the two teams. The Celtics won each of the first two with double-digit wins at home and then on the “road” (Toronto is playing its home games in Tampa Bay).
Boston Celtics
Three wins in a row have worked wonders for Boston in the packed Eastern Conference standings. The Celtics have gone from the bottom of the playoffs to fourth in a matter of days.
The most recent victory came over the Clippers, 117–112. Boston swept the season series but did get off easy with the Clippers resting Kawhi Leonard.
Kemba Walker led Boston with 25 points. He’s been doing that more often. It was his fourth consecutive game with at least 20 points and he’s averaging better than 22.5 over his last nine.
But the story for Boston was its balanced scoring. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown combined for just 32 (they average 50). Tristan Thompson, Robert Williams and Payton Pritchard all had either 13 or 14.
After experimenting with guys like Javonte Green and Aaron Nesmith, Head Coach Brad Stevens has cut back on the rotation a bit. Grant Williams didn’t even get any playing time against Los Angeles.
And playing time may be even harder to get in the second half when Marcus Smart is expected back. The Celtics have missed Smart but have weathered the storm all right after this last little winning streak.
Sustaining it up until the break will be a point of emphasis for Stevens ahead of this one.
NBA Betting Trends:
- Raptors are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games overall.
- Over is 11-5 in Raptors last 16 overall.
- Over is 19-7-1 in the last 27 meetings in Boston.
- Celtics are 6-14 ATS in their last 20 home games.
- Over is 11-5 in Celtics last 16 overall.
Free Toronto Raptors vs. Boston Celtics NBA Prediction: Toronto.
The Raptors are on a back-to-back but they are going to be aware this may be their last chance to get a win against Boston this season.
That notion will motivate Toronto more than it will Boston. The Celtics are playing better of late and should be solid favorites, especially given Toronto’s schedule disadvantage.
Use the points to your advantage and play the underdog, which is live for a straight-up win here.
4* Free NBA Betting Pick: Raps cover the 7.5 or 8
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