Trent Reinsmith
- What: Boston Celtics vs. Toronto Raptors
- Date: Monday, December 5, 2022
- Location: Scotiabank Arena
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- How to Watch: TSN, NBC Sports Boston, NBA League Pass
Week 8 of the 2022-23 NBA season is upon us and one of the best games on the schedule for tonight, Monday, December 5, features the Atlantic Division — and Eastern Conference-leading Boston Celtics traveling to Canada to face the Toronto Raptors. The Raptors are tied for second in the Atlantic with the Philadelphia 76ers. Boston has a record of 19-5 on the 2023 NBA season, which is tops in the league. Toronto is 12-11.
Before we look at the betting breakdown for tonight’s NBA matchup between the Boston Celtics and the Toronto Raptors, check out our guide to betting on the 2023 NBA Finals and our tips for betting on the NBA.
Boston Celtics vs. Toronto Raptors picks – December 5, 2022
| Teams |  |  |
| Boston Celtics | -115 | -115 |
| Toronto Raptors | -105 | -105 |
Boston Celtics breakdown
The Boston Celtics began the 2023 NBA season with three straight wins. The team then stumbled, going 1-3 in their next four outings. However, Boston enters tonight’s game against the Toronto Raptors on a run that has seen the team go 15-2 since October 30. The Celtics enter tonight’s game coming off a 103-92 road win over the Brooklyn Nets. Boston is 8-3 on the road in 2023 and 3-0 against Atlantic Division foes this season.
Despite being without defensive standout Robert Williams III and off-season signing Danilo Gallinari, the Celtics are playing outstanding basketball. That’s not surprising when the team’s biggest stars, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart are delivering. Tatum leads the team in points (30.8), rebounds (8.0), blocks (1.1) and minutes (36.9). Brown is contributing 26.6 points per game on 35.5 minutes, while Smart leads the team in assists (7.7) and steals (1.1), while putting up 11.8 points on 32.9 minutes per game. Smart missed Sunday’s game against Brooklyn with a hip injury. His status for tonight’s game has yet to be updated.
The Celtics are one of the highest-scoring road teams this season, with an average of 116.1 points per game. As for the team’s defensive game on the road, Boston allows 112.1 points per game, which is near the best in the league.
Toronto Raptors breakdown
The Raptors 12-11 record is representative of their season. They are playing well, but they are not winning consistently or earning long winning streaks. At the same time, the Raptors have not lost more than two games in a row all season. The club is coming off a 121-108 win over the Orlando Magic on Saturday at home. Toronto is 9-2 at home this season, but 1-4 against division foes.
Pascal Siakam leads the Raptors in scoring with 24.2 points per game on 34.4 minutes. O.G. Anunoby is second in scoring with 19.3. He leads the team in steals with 2.3. The team’s number three scorer is Fred VanVleet, who contributes 16.8 points on a team-leading 36.5 minutes. VanVleet leads the team in assists with 6.6. Scottie Barnes is the top Toronto player in rebounds with 6.8 and Christian Koloko has the most blocks on the squad with 1.2.
Toronto is not a high-scoring team. The club averages 111 points per game at home. The good news for the Raptors is they have one of the top defensive games on their home court, giving up an average of 105.5 points per game.
Our pick
This is a tough game to pick. While the Raptors have not been consistent during the 2023 NBA season, they have been excellent at home. However, the Celtics are on a run that makes it very difficult to pick against them. With the way Boston has been playing this year, they will be a tough out against any team. I think the best bet is to go with the hot team. With that, pick the Boston Celtics to beat the Toronto Raptors tonight.
Pick: Boston Celtics to beat the Toronto Raptors.
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