The Boston Celtics (23-9) host the Toronto Raptors (7-25) in an Eastern Conference battle on New Year’s Eve. The Celtics have lost three of their last four games. The Raptors, meanwhile, have dropped 10 straight games. Jrue Holiday (shoulder) and Kristaps Porzingis (ankle) are questionable for Boston. RJ Barrett (illness) is out for Toronto.

Tipoff from TD Garden in Boston is 3 p.m. ET. Boston is a 17-point favorite in the latest Celtics vs. Raptors odds via SportsLine consensus, while the over/under for total points scored is 233.5. Before locking in any Raptors vs. Celtics picks, make sure to check out the NBA predictions and betting advice from the SportsLine Projection Model.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in betting profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past six-plus seasons. The model enters Week 11 of the 2024-25 NBA season on a sizzling 128-95 roll on all top-rated NBA picks dating back to last season, returning nearly $3,000. Anyone following at sportsbooks and on betting apps has seen huge returns.

Now, the model has simulated Raptors vs. Celtics 10,000 times and just revealed its coveted NBA picks and betting predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model’s picks. Here are several NBA odds and NBA betting lines for Raptors vs. Celtics:

• Celtics vs. Raptors spread: Boston -17
• Celtics vs. Raptors over/under: 233.5 points
• Celtics vs. Raptors money line: Boston -1754, Toronto +966
• TOR: The Raptors are 19-12-1 against the spread this season 
• BOS: The Celtics are 12-20 against the spread this season 
• Celtics vs. Raptors picks: See picks at SportsLine
• Celtics vs. Raptors streaming: FuboTV (Try for free)

Why the Celtics can cover

Forward Jayson Tatum continues to be an elite playmaker. He is fifth in the league in points (28.5) while leading the team in rebounds (9.6) and assists (5.6). The 26-year-old already has 15 games with 30-plus points this season. He’s also notched a double-double in eight of his last nine games. On Christmas Day against the 76ers, Tatum finished with 32 points and 15 rebounds.

Guard Jaylen Brown is another difference-maker for the Celtics. This season, he averages 24.9 points, 5.9 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game. The California product has racked up 30-plus points in three of his last four games. On Dec. 27 versus Indiana, Brown had 44 points, five rebounds and made six 3-pointers. See which team to back at SportsLine.

Why the Raptors can cover

Toronto has struggled from a straight-up perspective, but the Raptors have actually been solid against the spread. They are 18-12 ATS overall this year and they covered in their only other matchup with Boston this season. 

Forward Scottie Barnes logs 19.9 points, 7.8 rebounds and 7.1 assists per game. The Florida State product has scored 20-plus points in nine outings this season. On Dec. 23 against the New York Knicks, Barnes had 24 points and eight assists. See which team to back at SportsLine.

How to make Raptors vs. Celtics picks

SportsLine’s model is leaning Over the total, projecting 234 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread hits in well over 50% of simulations. You can head to SportsLine to see the model’s picks. 

So who wins Raptors vs. Celtics on Tuesday, and which side of the spread hits well over 50% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Raptors vs. Celtics spread to back, all from the model that has returned well over $10,000 on top-rated NBA picks, and find out.