The Boston Celtics will look to sustain their recent success tonight when they battle Atlantic Division rival Toronto at the Air Canada Centre (7:00pm ET start time). NBA Wednesday betting odds are not in Boston’s favor, though, as the 17-31 Raptors are listed as a -3 against the spread and -150 moneyline favorite. The total in this evening’s contest is set at 188 points.
Boston’s best and most valuable player, Rajon Rondo, suffered a season ending knee injury in a 111-123 road loss at Atlanta on January 25th. The setback was the sixth in a row for the Celtics and dropped their record to 20-23 overall. Strangely enough, tough, Boston has not lost since, earning wins over the Heat, Kings, Magic, and Clippers to draw within 7.5 games of Atlantic leader New York.
Despite their present run, the Celtics are not expected to top the Raptors tonight. Boston, which defeated Toronto 107-89 at the Garden in mid-November, finds itself in a key look ahead situation with a nationally televised home game against the Lakers coming up tomorrow night.
Toronto has not played well of late (1-4 in their last five games); however, it is 12-12 at home this season and 1-1 since acquiring Rudy Gay from the Grizzlies. The Raptors, who close out a three game home stand tonight, defeated the Clippers 98-73 last Friday as Gay scored 20 points on 8-of-16 shooting in his team debut.
Toronto ran into a more formidable opponent on Sunday with the defending champion Heat in town and the score reflected as much. Miami cruised to a 100-85 win despite 29 points from Gay and 27 points from DeMar DeRozan.
Free Pick: Take the Raptors -3. Toronto is 5-1 both straight up and against the spread in its last six games as a home favorite with a spread between 0 and 3.5 and a total between 185 and 190 points. Boston is 1-7 straight up and 2-5-1 against the spread over the last two seasons playing as a road dog coming off a home win (Under was 8-0 in those games).
Boston Celtics at Toronto Raptors NBA Odds:
Boston Celtics +3 (-110), Over 188 (-110), +130 (Moneyline)
Toronto Raptors -3 (-110), Under 188 (-110), -150 (Moneyline)
NBA Free Picks: Boston at Toronto (Best Bet)
What NBA bettors need to know about Boston Celtics at Toronto Raptors on Wednesday (2/06/13) - a best bet from Pregame.com's Bryan Leonard, with host Steve Fezzik.
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