Boston Celtics vs Toronto Raptors predictions, Dec 31, 2024

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Boston Celtics

Toronto Raptors

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**NBA Match Preview: Boston Celtics vs. Toronto Raptors (December 31, 2024)**

As the curtains close on 2024, basketball fans are treated to a thrilling matchup between the Boston Celtics and the Toronto Raptors at the TD Garden in Boston. With the Celtics being the home team, this game is set to be a crucial encounter for both franchises.

**Team Form:**

**Boston Celtics:**
The Celtics have had a mixed run of form recently, winning 2 of their last 5 games. In their previous outings, they have shown flashes of brilliance but have also struggled with inconsistencies. Key players like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown will be critical in leading the charge, and fans will be looking for them to build on their strengths against a struggling opponent.

**Toronto Raptors:**
On the other hand, the Raptors come into this game in a tough spot, having lost all of their last 5 games. This losing streak has cast shadows over their season, and they will be eager to turn things around before heading into the new year. Toronto’s stars, such as Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet, will need to step up significantly to provide the energy and execution required to compete with a formidable Celtics squad.

**Head-to-Head:**
Historically, the Celtics have had the upper hand over the Raptors, especially when playing at home. The last few encounters have seen Boston exploit their offensive firepower, while Toronto has struggled to keep pace.

**Betting Odds:**
Bookmaker odds show a strong favor towards the Celtics, with a coefficient of 1.02, indicating confidence in a Boston victory. Conversely, the Raptors are sitting at 8.75, highlighting the challenges they face in this matchup. The most likely result according to bookmakers is a 126:109 victory for the Celtics, suggesting an expectation of a relatively high-scoring game.

**Players to Watch:**

– **Boston Celtics:** Jayson Tatum is expected to be a focal point on offense, with his ability to create shots and score from various ranges being pivotal. Additionally, Marcus Smart’s defensive prowess will be crucial in limiting the Raptors’ scoring opportunities.

– **Toronto Raptors:** Pascal Siakam’s versatility and ability to drive to the basket will be vital for Toronto’s chances of keeping the game competitive. Fred VanVleet’s experience can also prove beneficial, particularly in managing the tempo of the game and creating scoring opportunities.

**Conclusion:**
Entering this game, the Boston Celtics are the clear favorites, backed by solid home performances and a recent better form compared to the Raptors. Toronto will need a monumental effort to halt their losing streak and make a statement. As both teams head into the new year, this matchup is sure to bring intensity, excitement, and high-stakes basketball action. Fans should expect a competitive encounter with Boston looking to solidify their position in the standings and Toronto aiming for redemption.

Boston 89.6% Toronto 10.4%

Prediction (the most likely score): 126:109

Outrights of NBA Boston Celtics: 25.4% Toronto Raptors: 0.08%

!!!!! Information about video stream is absent for now

Betting Odds

1 X 2
MarathonBet 1.02 8.75

Watch this match and NBA with fuboTV (for US customers). Network: NBC Sports Boston

Latest Results

29.12.24 Boston Celtics – Indiana Pacers – 114:123
27.12.24 Boston Celtics – Indiana Pacers – 142:105
25.12.24 Boston Celtics – Philadelphia 76ers – 114:118
23.12.24 Orlando Magic – Boston Celtics – 108:104
21.12.24 Chicago Bulls – Boston Celtics – 98:123
29.12.24 Toronto Raptors – Atlanta Hawks – 107:136
26.12.24 Memphis Grizzlies – Toronto Raptors – 155:126
23.12.24 New York Knicks – Toronto Raptors – 139:125
22.12.24 Toronto Raptors – Houston Rockets – 110:114
19.12.24 Toronto Raptors – Brooklyn Nets – 94:101

Facts

  • One of the leader and one of the outsider will meet in this game (ranked 2 in the zone Promotion ~ NBA (Play Offs: 1/8~finals) and 14).
  • Last 5 head-to-head matches Boston won 4.
  • Recent matches Boston is playing changeable (in the last 5 games wins – 2).
  • Toronto has a series of defeats in the last matches (in the last 5 games wins – 0).
  • Toronto could have advantage in physics – more days for rest in last days.
  • In this match Boston is absolute favorite.
  • Last 20 head-to-head matches Boston won 15 matches, drawn 0 matches, lost 5 matches and goals 2275:2194 (average 113.8:109.7).
  • Including matches at home between the teams Boston won 10 matches, drawn 0 matches, lost 2 matches and goals 1367:1311 (average 113.9:109.3).

    Latest Head To Head

    16.11.24 Boston Celtics – Toronto Raptors – 126:123 OT
    15.10.24 Toronto Raptors – Boston Celtics – 119:118
    13.10.24 Boston Celtics – Toronto Raptors – 115:111
    15.01.24 Toronto Raptors – Boston Celtics – 96:105
    29.12.23 Boston Celtics – Toronto Raptors – 120:118

    Standings

    2024/25

    Western Conference

    Pl W L PCT
    1 Oklahoma City Thunder 31 26 5 3578:3202 0.839
    2 Memphis Grizzlies 33 22 11 4073:3769 0.667
    3 Houston Rockets 32 21 11 3615:3411 0.656
    4 Dallas Mavericks 32 20 12 3765:3569 0.625
    5 Los Angeles Clippers 31 18 13 3390:3321 0.581
    6 Los Angeles Lakers 31 18 13 3471:3536 0.581
    7 Denver Nuggets 30 17 13 3603:3521 0.567
    8 Minnesota Timberwolves 31 17 14 3389:3323 0.548
    9 Golden State Warriors 31 16 15 3473:3425 0.516
    10 San Antonio Spurs 32 16 16 3556:3583 0.500
    11 Phoenix Suns 31 15 16 3479:3531 0.484
    12 Sacramento Kings 32 13 19 3679:3653 0.406
    13 Portland Trail Blazers 31 11 20 3355:3630 0.355
    14 Utah Jazz 30 7 23 3319:3581 0.233
    15 New Orleans Pelicans 32 5 27 3407:3776 0.156

    Eastern Conference

    Pl W L PCT
    1 Cleveland Cavaliers 31 27 4 3803:3441 0.871
    2 Boston Celtics 32 23 9 3823:3523 0.719
    3 New York Knicks 32 22 10 3763:3519 0.688
    4 Orlando Magic 34 20 14 3601:3520 0.588
    5 Atlanta Hawks 33 18 15 3889:3921 0.545
    6 Miami Heat 30 16 14 3331:3261 0.533
    7 Milwaukee Bucks 30 16 14 3373:3340 0.533
    8 Indiana Pacers 33 16 17 3785:3853 0.485
    9 Detroit Pistons 32 14 18 3591:3685 0.438
    10 Chicago Bulls 32 14 18 3764:3886 0.438
    11 Philadelphia 76ers 29 12 17 3092:3206 0.414
    12 Brooklyn Nets 32 12 20 3451:3609 0.375
    13 Charlotte Hornets 31 7 24 3290:3496 0.226
    14 Toronto Raptors 32 7 25 3595:3811 0.219
    15 Washington Wizards 29 5 24 3145:3546 0.172

    NBA Outrights

    1. Boston Celtics: 3.26 (25.4%)

    2. Oklahoma City Thunder: 4.24 (19.53%)

    3. New York Knicks: 10.54 (7.85%)

    4. Cleveland Cavaliers: 14.33 (5.78%)

    5. Dallas Mavericks: 14.8 (5.59%)

    6. Denver Nuggets: 16.93 (4.89%)

    7. Milwaukee Bucks: 19.24 (4.3%)

    8. Golden State Warriors: 23.68 (3.5%)

    9. Memphis Grizzlies: 25.02 (3.31%)

    10. Phoenix Suns: 25.16 (3.29%)

    11. Minnesota Timberwolves: 31.9 (2.6%)

    12. Philadelphia 76ers: 34.81 (2.38%)

    13. Los Angeles Lakers: 36.99 (2.24%)

    14. Houston Rockets: 47.29 (1.75%)

    15. Orlando Magic: 48.18 (1.72%)

    16. Miami Heat: 57.2 (1.45%)

    17. Los Angeles Clippers: 60.85 (1.36%)

    18. Indiana Pacers: 113 (0.73%)

    19. Sacramento Kings: 129.37 (0.64%)

    20. Atlanta Hawks: 156.38 (0.53%)

    21. San Antonio Spurs: 234.47 (0.35%)

    22. Detroit Pistons: 741.84 (0.11%)

    23. Chicago Bulls: 771.11 (0.11%)

    24. New Orleans Pelicans: 833.89 (0.1%)

    25. Brooklyn Nets: 930.57 (0.09%)

    26. Charlotte Hornets: 944.94 (0.09%)

    27. Portland Trail Blazers: 1011.42 (0.08%)

    28. Utah Jazz: 1059.07 (0.08%)

    29. Toronto Raptors: 1073.53 (0.08%)

    30. Washington Wizards: 1213.02 (0.07%)

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