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NBA Preseason: Boston Celtics vs. Toronto Raptors prediction, odds, TV channel

By Andrew Hughes

The Boston Celtics continue their preseason with another home matchup against the Toronto Raptors on October 5 at the T.D. Garden Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
The Boston Celtics continue their preseason with another home matchup against the Toronto Raptors on October 5 at the T.D. Garden Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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With the Boston Celtics opening up the preseason with a 41-point punishment of the Charlotte Hornets at home, it’s apparent that Joe Mazzulla is picking up right where suspended head coach Ime Udoka left off.

The interim head coach got contributions from all over his depth chart on October 2 during the first home-cooking for the 2022-23 roster. Jaylen Brown showed that the persistent Kevin Durant trade rumors from the summer only serve as motivation to become too irreplaceable to be mentioned in them again, while Sam Hauser and Grant Williams proved that Danilo Gallinari’s ACL tear may not be as damning as originally thought.

Perhaps the most positive impression left in the preseason opener and one that will have the biggest effect on Brad Stevens and the front office’s decision-making moving forward was Mfiondu Kabengele’s high-energy 10-point, 3-rebound night off the pine.

The opening salvo of the Mazzulla era was a rousing success, but can the Cs keep it going against the Toronto Raptors Wednesday, October 5? Hardwood Houdini has your odds and a prediction for the NBC Sports Boston-televised preseason opener between the Boston Celtics and Toronto Raptors (all odds provided by Action Network):

Boston Celtics vs. Toronto Raptors odds, spread, over/under

The Celtics are 4-point favorites against the Raptors. Toronto is a +140 underdog while Boston’s ML is set at -175. The over/under for the game has been placed at 219 points.

Celtics vs. Raptors prediction

The points total in the last game was set at 240, which the Houdini correctly predicted was simply too high for a preseason affair. Truthfully, the Celtics were up for the challenge, putting up 134 points. Their defense made it an easy under hit, though.

The Raptors had a similar blowout victory over the Jazz on October 2, holding Utah to just two double-digit scorers (Collin Sexton, Lauri Markkanen). Both the Cs and Raps have a top-10 defense — and it is still the preseason where reserves are looking to earn minutes and/or contracts — so we’re riding the under train for a second straight game.

Pick: 219u

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

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