Toronto-raptors vs Boston Celtics Picks and Predictions January 15th 2025

Raptors Aim for Rare Back-to-Back Wins Against Celtics

The Toronto Raptors have an opportunity to secure consecutive victories for just the third time this season as they host the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night. The Raptors are coming off a much-needed 104-101 win over the Golden State Warriors on Monday, which snapped a five-game losing streak.

Raptors Seek Momentum

Toronto’s victory against the Warriors was fueled by a standout fourth-quarter performance from Chris Boucher, who scored 17 of his 18 points in the final period. Scottie Barnes led the team overall with 23 points, while Jakob Poeltl added a double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds.

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“We needed that,” Barnes said after the game. “Chris won us the game.”

Despite struggling throughout the season, the Raptors showed resilience, rallying from a nine-point fourth-quarter deficit to close out the Warriors. Toronto has managed to string together back-to-back wins only twice this season and will look to break that trend against a strong Celtics squad.

The Raptors will again be without Immanuel Quickley, who is day-to-day with a left hip/groin strain. Quickley has averaged 16.2 points and 6.1 assists in just nine games this season. Coach Darko Rajakovic acknowledged Quickley’s importance but emphasized the team’s collective effort.

“We’ve been working extremely hard to find ways to get better,” Boucher added. “Getting a win feels really good.”

Celtics Look to Regain Consistency

The Celtics (7-6 in their last 13 games) eked out a 120-119 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday, but concerns linger over their recent form. Jayson Tatum delivered another stellar performance with 38 points and 11 rebounds, helping Boston secure the win despite the Pelicans’ strong challenge.

Coach Joe Mazzulla acknowledged the team’s inconsistent play but maintained confidence in their process:
“When you’re 7-6 over 13, it’s not just one thing. We’re on our own path, and we’ll figure it the hell out.”

The Celtics have already beaten the Raptors twice this season, both in Boston. A 126-123 overtime win on Nov. 16 was followed by a commanding 125-71 blowout on Dec. 31.

Tatum noted the difficulty of maintaining top-level play throughout the season:
“Maybe you don’t want to play your best basketball at the beginning of January. It’s not supposed to be easy, and we’re getting everybody’s best shot.”

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Key Matchups to Watch

• Scottie Barnes vs. Jayson Tatum: Barnes is coming off a strong game and will need to elevate his defense to contend with Tatum’s scoring prowess.
• Chris Boucher’s Impact: With Quickley out, the Raptors will rely on Boucher’s energy off the bench to replicate his game-changing contributions.
• Battle on the Boards: Jakob Poeltl and Boston’s frontcourt, led by Al Horford and Robert Williams III, will be crucial in controlling the glass.

What’s at Stake

For the Raptors, a win would provide much-needed confidence as they aim to climb out of their extended slump. For the Celtics, the game represents an opportunity to steady their form and reassert dominance against an Eastern Conference rival.

Tip-off is set for Wednesday night at Scotiabank Arena, where Toronto hopes to capitalize on home-court advantage and secure a rare streak of victories.