The Toronto Raptors wrap up 2024 with a matinee against the defending champion Boston Celtics.
The pregame narrative: Toronto is a massive road dog and I’ll tease it further, banking 22.5 points with the Raps. Props bets on Jaylen Brown and Derrick White round out this +310 wager.
Check out my Raptors vs. Celtics same-game parlay predictions for Dec. 31.
Raptors vs. Celtics predictions
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Parlay: Raptors +22.5 + Brown over 34.5 PRA + White over 2.5 threes (+310)
Raptors +22.5 (-220): The Raptors have lost 10 straight games and are coming off consecutive blowouts where they failed to cover this number.
Now, they’re on the road against one of the best teams in basketball. That doesn’t inspire much confidence, and nor should it. But this is a big number and it’s one Toronto typically covers:
- The Raptors are 19-12-1 ATS this season (fifth-best in the NBA).
- Toronto has covered a +22.5 spread in 28 of 32 games this season (87.5%).
- That includes a 126-123 overtime loss to the Celtics on Nov. 16 when they closed as 16.5-point underdogs.
Boston will likely win this game but I’m confident Toronto can keep it within this massive margin. The Celtics were untouchable on home court last season but have looked more human this year.
Joe Mazzula’s group is 12-6 at TD Garden but just 6-12 ATS. Boston has also lost four of its last six games.
SGP legs
Brown over 34.5 PRA (-113): Brown is running hot and tends to torch the Raptors. He should be in line for another big game tonight.
Boston’s swingman has cleared this mark in six of his last seven games against the Raptors. He’s averaged 26.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and 5.4 assists (39 PRA) in that span.
Brown has cleared this line on points alone in two of his last four games and finished with 31 points, six assists and four rebounds his last time out.
He’s attempted 20-plus field goals in five straight games which gives us a solid floor to work with.
White over 2.5 threes (-240): White is arguably the fourth or fifth biggest name on the Celtics. Yet he’s still an Olympian averaging 16.9 PPG while shooting 38.5% from deep — that’s why they’re the champs.
The shooting guard is making 3.5 threes a night and has cleared this mark in four straight games and seven of his last eight.
He shoots with volume and accuracy from beyond the arc and went 3-for-12 against the Raptors earlier this season.
Toronto gives up the ninth-most 3s per game to SGs, per Fantasy Pros.
Picks made at 8:40 a.m. ET 12/31/2024.
Avery joined NorthStar Gaming as an intern in 2022 before stepping into a full-time role soon after. He loves betting on and analyzing golf — mainly because it’s easier than actually playing — but is a fan of all sports, from the NFL to the UFC.