Celtics Face Struggling Raptors in High-Stakes NBA Showdown

TORONTO, Canada — The Boston Celtics (28-11) and the Toronto Raptors (9-31) are set to clash at Scotiabank Arena on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, in a matchup that pits the defending champions against one of the league’s struggling teams.

The Celtics, coming off a narrow 120-119 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday, are riding high with a 4-2 record in 2025. Jayson Tatum led the charge with 38 points in that game. Meanwhile, the Raptors snapped a losing streak with a 104-101 win against the Golden State Warriors on Monday but remain 2-5 in the new year.

Boston has been dominant on the road, boasting a 14-4 record and a +9 point differential. In contrast, Toronto has struggled at home, going 2-8 in their last ten games. The Celtics are heavily favored, with implied team point totals of 119.93 compared to the Raptors’ 113.42, according to the latest odds.

For fans looking to catch the action, tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 PM ET. The game will be broadcast on regional sports networks, and live updates will be available on NBC Sports‘ matchup pages.

Betting enthusiasts can find the latest odds and expert predictions on platforms like DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM. NBC Sports’ modeling tools, which analyze recent performance, head-to-head matchups, and trends, project a high-confidence bet on the Celtics covering the spread.

For those seeking additional insights, NBC Sports offers daily NBA best bets and predictions, including moneyline, spread, and over/under picks. The network’s podcast, featuring analysts Jay Croucher and Drew Dinsick, provides in-depth analysis and betting advice.

As the Celtics aim to solidify their playoff positioning and the Raptors look to salvage their season, this game promises to be a compelling chapter in the 2025 NBA season.