What better way to celebrate Christmas by watching some Boston Celtics basketball ... and bringing home an extra present in the process?
The Celtics kick off the NBA's annual Christmas Day slate with a road matchup against the Toronto Raptors, who sit 0.5 games behind Boston in the Eastern Conference at 21-9.
This should be a fascinating matchup: The C's haven't won in Toronto since 2015, but the Raptors are missing three key players in Pascal Siakam, Marc Gasol and Fred VanFleet.
How will this one shake out? We're putting our 9-0-0 betting record over Boston's last three games to the test with predictions for Celtics-Raptors, including two locks against the spread for the NBA's other Christmas Day games.
(All odds provided by WestGate Superbook.)
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Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics at Toronto Raptors, 12 p.m. ET
Moneyline: The well-coached Raptors haven't lost in regulation since Siakam and Powell went down, so they'll make this a battle. But Gordon Hayward's return gives the Celtics (-170) the extra depth they need to get the Toronto monkey off their backs.
Point Spread: Boston's defense was able to contain Toronto's role players the first time these teams met. Even with Marcus Smart out, I still like the Celtics (-3.5), who are 7-2 against the spread in their last nine games and should outlast the undermanned Raptors.
Point Total: A noon tip with Toronto missing its best player helped lower the point total to 213 ... and I'm taking the bait. I predict a close game with both teams topping the century mark to hit the OVER.
Darren's record picking the Celtics' moneyline, point spread and point total: 41-24-1
NBA Locks for Christmas Day
Milwaukee Bucks (-4.5) at Philadelphia 76ers: The only reason the Bucks are only favored by 4.5 is because the Sixers have been stellar (15-2) at home. But Milwaukee is the best team in basketball and should be respected as such.
Houston Rockets (-11) at Golden State Warriors: Don't interrupt your Christmas dinner for this one. The Warriors haven't beaten a team above .500 all season and stand no chance against James Harden and Co., even at home.
Darren's record picking NBA locks against the spread: 25-18-1
Don't miss NBC Sports Boston's coverage of Celtics-Raptors, which tips off Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. with Celtics Pregame Live, and then Mike and Scal have the call at 12 p.m. You can also stream the game on the MyTeams App.