The Boston Celtics (14-9) head north to challenge the Toronto Raptors (15-9) in a crucial Atlantic Division clash on Sunday, December 7, 2025. With the Celtics riding a four-game winning streak and adjusting admirably to life without Jayson Tatum, this matchup could serve as a litmus test for both squads’ contender aspirations. The Raptors, fresh off snapping an eight-game home win streak, aim to halt a mini-slump against a Boston team that’s won nine of 11 overall. Expect a gritty, defensive-minded affair at Scotiabank Arena, where Toronto’s physicality meets Boston’s perimeter prowess in what marks the season opener of their four-game series.
Game Details
Tipoff: 3:30 p.m. ET (tip-off).
Venue: Scotiabank Arena, 40 Bay St., Toronto, ON M5J 2X2, Canada. Home to the Raptors since 1999, the 19,800-seat venue is a fortress for Toronto, boasting a league-best 8-3 home record this season. Doors open at 2:00 p.m. ET.
Broadcast: NBCS-Boston (Celtics local), Sportsnet (Raptors local), and NBA League Pass for out-of-market streams. Radio on 98.5 The Sports Hub (Celtics) and TSN Radio 1050 (Raptors).
Officials: To be announced (TBA, per NBA guidelines).
This early-afternoon tip slots perfectly into a loaded NBA Sunday slate, drawing fans eager for East Coast rivalries amid the holiday buildup.
Injury Report
Injuries loom large, especially for the Raptors’ backcourt and Boston’s star forward. Here’s the latest from the NBA’s official report (updated December 6, 2025, 6:30 p.m. ET):
| Team | Player | Position | Status | Injury/Details | Estimated Return |
| Celtics | Jayson Tatum | SF | Out | Left ankle sprain (surgery recovery) | January 15 |
| Celtics | Derrick White | PG | Questionable | Right arm contusion | December 7 |
| Raptors | RJ Barrett | SF | Out | Right knee sprain | December 9 |
| Raptors | Immanuel Quickley | PG | Questionable | Illness | December 7 |
| Raptors | Jamison Battle | SF | Doubtful | Left ankle sprain | December 7 |
| Raptors | Jakob Poeltl | C | Probable | Back (rest/management) | December 7 |
Boston’s prolonged Tatum absence (out since late November) has forced Jaylen Brown into a 30+ PPG usage role, but the Celtics are 7-3 without him. White’s status is key for perimeter defense (16.4 PPG, 1.1 SPG). Toronto misses Barrett’s 21.1 PPG and 6.3 RPG, thinning their wing depth, while Quickley’s questionable tag (17.1 PPG, 5.8 APG) could overload Scottie Barnes. Poeltl’s probable return bolsters the paint after a rest day.
Key Player Matchups
Without Tatum and potentially Barrett/Quickley, this tilts toward frontcourt battles and bench energy. Here’s a spotlight on five pivotal duels, blending volume scoring, defense, and rebounding:
Jaylen Brown (Celtics SF) vs. Scottie Barnes (Raptors PF): Brown (22.2 PPG, 5.8 RPG) has erupted sans Tatum, dropping 30 vs. Lakers with 8 boards and assists. Barnes (19.3 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 5.8 APG) is Toronto’s do-it-all engine, but his 1.4 SPG won’t faze Brown’s mid-range mastery (46.3% FG). Edge: Brown in isolation scoring.
Derrick White (Celtics PG) vs. Immanuel Quickley (Raptors PG): White (16.4 PPG, 38.4% 3PT, 1.1 BPG) is questionable but thrives as a two-way menace; if active, his length disrupts drives. Quickley (17.1 PPG, questionable illness) fuels Toronto’s pace (5.8 APG), but Boston’s No. 2 defense (110.5 OPP PPG) limits guards. Edge: White if he plays.
Kristaps Porzingis (Celtics C) vs. Jakob Poeltl (Raptors C): Porzingis (19.5 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 41.2% 3PT) stretches the floor as a unicorn big, exploiting switches. Poeltl (14.5 PPG, 9.6 RPG, probable) anchors with rim protection (1.2 BPG) and physicality. Boston’s spacing vs. Toronto’s paint dominance (top-5 in offensive rebounding). Edge: Porzingis’ versatility.
Jrue Holiday (Celtics PG/SG) vs. Gradey Dick (Raptors SG): Holiday (12.5 PPG, elite defender at 1.8 SPG) clamps shooters in spot duty. Dick (emerging rookie, 10.2 PPG off bench) provides spacing (35% 3PT), but Holiday’s IQ forces turnovers (Celtics 3rd in steals). Edge: Holiday’s championship pedigree.
Al Horford (Celtics PF/C) vs. Ochai Agbaji (Raptors SF): Horford (8.5 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 2.1 BPG) brings veteran savvy off the bench. Agbaji (9.8 PPG, 1.2 SPG) steps up for Barrett with athleticism. A chess match in small-ball lineups. Edge: Horford’s experience.
These battles underscore Boston’s depth edge, but Toronto’s home grit could force rotations.
Team Records and Standings Context
Boston Celtics (14-9, 5th in East): 7-4 home, 7-5 road. They’re 8-2 in last 10, surging with a +6.6 net rating (8th). Offense: 117.1 PPG (7th); Defense: 110.5 OPP PPG (2nd). Rebounding: 44.0 RPG (5th), led by Porzingis.
Toronto Raptors (15-9, 3rd in East): 8-3 home, 7-6 road. 7-3 in last 10, but recent skid drops net rating to +3.0 (12th). Offense: 116.5 PPG (10th); Defense: 113.5 OPP PPG (10th). Elite assists (29.8 APG, 1st).
Toronto leads the season series 0-0 (first meeting); all-time, Boston holds a 73-43 edge, including 3-1 last year.
Recent Team Forms
Boston enters scorching, while Toronto seeks stabilization after back-to-back losses. Quick snapshots:
Boston Celtics Last 5 Games:
| Date | Opponent | Result | Key Stats |
| Dec 5 | vs. LAL | W 126-105 | Brown 30P/8R/8A; White 19P/5-10 3PT |
| Dec 4 | @ WSH | W 146-101 | White 30P/7R/9A; 31 team ASTs |
| Dec 2 | vs. NYK | W 123-117 | Brown 42P; Defensive stops late |
| Nov 30 | vs. (TBA) | W 117-115 | Pritchard 42P; Clutch win |
| Nov 28 | @ (TBA) | L 110-123 | Brown 32P; Rare off-night |
Form: 4-1. Winners of four straight, averaging 128.0 PPG in wins with suffocating D (holding foes under 110). 4-1 ATS, showcasing Tatum-less resilience.
Toronto Raptors Last 5 Games:
| Date | Opponent | Result | Key Stats |
| Dec 5 | vs. CHA | L 86-111 | Barnes 18P; 18 turnovers, poor shooting |
| Dec 4 | vs. LAL | L 120-123 | Barnes 23P/11R/9A; Buzzer-beater loss |
| Dec 2 | vs. POR | W 121-118 | Barnes 28P/7R; Quickley 22P |
| Nov 30 | @ NYK | L 94-116 | Ingram 20P; Defense crumbles |
| Nov 29 | @ CHA | L 111-118 | Quickley 22P; OT heartbreaker |
Form: 1-4. Dropped four of five, scoring just 102.4 PPG lately amid turnover woes (16.6 per game). 2-3 ATS, with home losses exposing rebounding lapses (42.6 RPG, 20th).
Series History
All-Time Regular Season: Celtics lead 73-43 in 116 games. Boston has dominated lately, winning 11 of last 12 SU (including 3-1 in 2024-25).
2025-26 Season Series: 0-0 (opener). Last season’s splits: Celtics won 126-123 (Nov ’24), 125-71 (Dec ’24), lost 97-110 (Jan ’25), won 111-101 (Feb ’25). Averages: 224.5 total points; 60% OVER.
Trends: Celtics 2-5 ATS in last 7 H2H; games often low-scoring (UNDER in 6 of last 10).
Betting Trends
Key Trends:
Celtics: 13-10-0 ATS overall (57%); 7-4 ATS as 2+ favorites. 12-11 O/U; 11-1 SU in last 12 vs. Toronto.
Raptors: 12-11-1 ATS (52%); 8-3 SU at home but 2-3 ATS last 5. 11-12 O/U; 6-4 SU L10 but 3-7 ATS L10.
H2H: Celtics 11-1 SU last 12; 60% OVER in last 10.
Game Odds
Boston Celtics – 2.5
Toronto Raptors 226.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Saturday, December 6, 2025
