Celtics-Raptors Betting Analysis for November 17

The Celtics-Raptors line for Friday night November 17, 2023 opened at Boston -7 overnight before moving to -8.5 at BetOnline.  We've seen the number open as low as -6.5 at some books.

When looking for current Boston Celtics betting trends, be mindful that Boston has been covering games left and right. 

With an underlay as much as 4 points detected in their recent game against these same Raptors in Boston, the Celtics managed to easily cover with a 23-point victory.  The public was even backing Toronto in that one at a 63% clip.

There was an overlay in the next game against the Knicks and Boston still managed to cover the spread.

Even in the more competitive game in Philadelphia, the Celtics managed to cover what was an enormous line variance that went from -3 to -5.5 and all the way back down to -1.  Boston won that game by 10 points, on the road no less.

Here they face off on the road against a Raptors team that just got beat badly at home by the Bucks, 128-112.  Toronto looked awful in that game.  Keep in mind that Giannis Antetokounmpo wasn't even playing for Milwaukee.

Toronto is still somehow 5-6 both Straight Up and Against The Spread. 

Coming into Friday night's game against the Celtics, Toronto's number on Sagarin comes in at 87.89 and there is a home court advantage applied of 2.73 giving us a number of 90.62.  The Celtics number is 97.94.  That gives us a final line of 7.32 and the actual number -7 to -8.5.  We're looking at a slight overlay for Boston here.  Bet against them at your own peril.

Neither team is playing on Saturday.

- Don Shapiro, Gambling911.com