The red-hot Toronto Raptors (23-15) are riding a 5-1 stretch, highlighted by Wednesday’s last-gasp win over the Charlotte Hornets. Meanwhile, after four straight wins, the Boston Celtics narrowly lost to the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday.
Two of the top four teams in the East face off on Friday night at TD Garden in Boston. The game tips at 7:00 p.m. ET.
Below, we'll preview the game and offer a Raptors vs. Celtics prediction and picks on PrizePicks, including player projections for G Jaylen Brown and G Immanuel Quickley.
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Raptors vs. Celtics Prediction on Spread
The Eastern Conference's top four teams are separated by just 5.5 games — entering Friday, Boston sits in third place, 4.5 behind the Detroit Pistons for the East's top spot.
Despite coming up short vs. the Nuggets on Wednesday, the Celtics have been one of the NBA’s most consistent teams, winning eight of their last ten. On the season, the C's have recorded a 118.9 offensive efficiency rating, ranking second behind only the Nuggets. Boston also thrives on the defensive end, surrendering just 110.6 points per game (second in the NBA), while holding their opponents to a 45.0% shooting clip from the field, third in the league.
With F Jayson Tatum missing the 2025-26 season due to an Achilles injury, G Jaylen Brown has shouldered even more offensive responsibility. Brown currently averages career-highs in points (29.7) and rebounds (4.9), while shooting 37.2% from beyond the arc this season. In four games this month, J.B. has proved to be even more dangerous with averages of 31.5 PPG, 7.0 RPG, and 4.3 APG, and is shooting 38.7% from three. Little wonder he's in the MVP conversation.
Boston is relatively healthy heading into Friday’s contest, but will be without F Josh Minott (ankle) against the Raptors.
Toronto sits in fourth place in the East, just one game behind Boston. The Raptors are a balanced group with four players averaging at least 16.2 PPG. F Brandon Ingram leads the way with averages of 22.2 PPG, 6.1 RPG, and 3.7 APG, while shooting 35.3% from beyond the arc.
The Raps,much like Boston, have a brick-wall defense — as per NBA.com, Toronto owns a 111.7 defensive rating, third-highest in the NBA. Toronto also allows just 111.9 PPG, fifth-lowest clip in the league.
Raptors F Scottie Barnes (knee) and Ingram (thumb) are both listed as questionable for Friday’s game, while C Jakob Poeltl (back) has been ruled out. Ingram left Wednesday’s game in the second quarter and didn’t return after being diagnosed with a right thumb sprain. Meanwhile, Barnes suffered a sprained knee in the fourth quarter, but did return.
Raptors vs. Celtics Over/Under, Spread
The Celtics are 8.5-point favorites, returning a 1.29x payout on PrizePicks Team Picks if they win outright.
The Raptors will return a 3.22x payout on PrizePicks Team Picks if they win outright.
- Spread: Boston Celtics -8.5
- Over/Under: 224.5
- Gamer Winner Payout: Raptors 3.22x | Celtics 1.29x
Team picks data is live as of publishing and is subject to change.
Raptors vs. Celtics Prediction on Spread
Here are some stats to know to get you prepared for Raptors vs. Celtics today.
- The Celtics are 9-8 against the spread at home.
- Toronto is 9-9 against the spread on the road.
- The Raptors are 6-3 against the spread as a road underdog.
Raptors vs. Celtics Picks
Here are some of the top Raptors vs. Celtics picks on PrizePicks for today. Player projections are via the PrizePicks real-money NBA game.
Celtics G Jaylen Brown vs. Raptors Projection: 41.5 PRA
- Brown has averaged 42.0 points, rebounds, and assists in his last five games.
- The Celtics star guard records 36.7 true shot attempts per 100 possessions, per databallr, ranking him in the 100th percentile.
- The 2016 lottery pick tallies 13.7 potential assists per 100 possessions, per databallr, ranking him in the 93rd percentile.
- Brown spends 28.2% of his time on the court on ball, per databallr, ranking him in the 96th percentile.
Raptors G Immanuel Quickley vs. Celtics Projection: 22.5 Pts+Asts
- Quickley averages 19.4 points+assists over his last five games.
- The former Kentucky Wildcat shoots 52.0% on 2-point field goal attempts, per databallr, ranking him in the 72nd percentile.
- The Raptors' starting PG spends 34.5% of his time on ball, per databallr. That ranks him in the 74th percentile.
- Quickley has scored at least 20 points in four of his last seven games.
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Make Raptors vs. Celtics Picks on PrizePicks
The Celtics and Raptors look to improve their position in the Eastern Conference standings making Friday the perfect time to make your Raptors vs. Celtics picks at PrizePicks, where you can earn real-money rewards for your predictions if you’re right.
Just choose players — including Jaylen Brown and Immanuel Quickley — predict More or Less on their projected stats, and follow the hoops action to see if your picks hit. You can make picks on winners, spreads, and over/unders on Team Picks, now available in 30 states.
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