Betting line tight for Celtics vs. Raptors Wednesday NBA matchup

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Every time it looks like the Boston Celtics (25-18) have finally turned the corner and started to play like one of the preseason betting favorites to win the Eastern Conference, they hit a bump and make you question their legitimacy all over again.

In the latest case, the Celtics literally hit a bump on the road by going 0-3 straight up and against the spread on a recently completed three-game trip before heading home for Wednesday's big showdown with the East-leading Toronto Raptors (33-12) as  small opening 1-point favorites on the NBA odds at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com.

Boston lost the three games by a combined 25 points after falling 109-102 to the Brooklyn Nets as 2.5-point road favorites at betting sites on Monday. The Celtics were favored in all three games too, and they had put together a four-game winning streak both SU and ATS prior to their skid, with each victory taking place at TD Garden.

Now back in Boston, they would like to use their home court as an advantage versus a Toronto team riding a five-game winning streak.

The Raptors have gone 3-2 ATS during their winning streak, according to the OddsShark NBA Database, and they are coming off a 140-138 double-overtime win over the Washington Wizards on the road Sunday, failing to cover as five-point favorites.

Kawhi Leonard led Toronto with a team-high 41 points in that victory while also grabbing 11 rebounds. Leonard has averaged 30.7 points in the last three games after sitting out a 121-105 victory against the Indiana Pacers on January 6 because it was the second game of a back-to-back situation.

The Celtics and Raptors have split the first two meetings this year, with each of them winning and covering the spread on their own home court. The last meeting took place at Boston on November 16 and resulted in a 123-116 OT victory for the host, which closed as a two-point favorite. Kyrie Irving had a game-high 43 points and 11 assists for the Celtics, and he is looking to return here after sitting out Monday due to a bruised quadriceps.

Despite that loss, Toronto is still 9-5 SU and 10-4 ATS in the past 14 meetings with Boston. The Raptors also remain +180 favorites (bet $100 to win $180) on the Eastern Conference betting futures with the Celtics second at +230.

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