Toronto at Boston
Time: 6 PM CT (ESPN)
Spread: BOS -2
Total: 218
Odds c/o Bovada
The Boston Celtics are 8-6 and 4-1 at home where it hosts the Conference-leading Toronto Raptors as 2-point favorites. The Raptors have won seven of its past 10, and are 5-1 on the road. The over/under for the game will be 218 points, according to NBA oddsmakers at Bovada. The game airs at 6 PM (CT) on ESPN.
BOS
Boston won its last outing 111-82 over the Chicago Bulls, to snap a two-game losing streak it had going in. In the win over Chicago, the Celtics put all five starters in double-figures, led by Jaylen Brown’s 18 points on 8 of 14 shooting. Boston shot 46 percent from the field and 15 of 34 from three-point range while limiting the Bulls to 39 percent shooting and just seven made triples. Additionally, Boston held a +4 advantage on the glass and forced 22 Bulls’ turnovers.
Boston owns the league’s second-most stingy defense, limiting opponents to 101.9 points per game while scoring 105.6 (No. 24) itself. The Celtics are a tough team on the boards ranking No. 11 at 46.5 rebounds per game. The depth of Brad Stevens’ team along with its chemistry are its two strongest points. Boston may be shopping backup point guard Terry Rozier, who is able to start on many other teams but plays behind All-Star Kyrie Irving. Rozier was just 5 of 15 from the field against the Bulls, but he averages nine points and 4.3 assists in his 23.7 minutes a night.
A team like Orlando or Brooklyn may find him a suitable upgrade over the likes of what both teams have starting. Irving leads the Celtics in scoring at 20.7 points per game while adding 4.8 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game.
Jayson Tatum is continuing the momentum of his strong rookie season with 15.9 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.4 assists, while Marcus Morris, Jaylen Brown, Al Horford and Gordon Hayward are all averaging double-figure scoring. Boston is a much stronger team than its 8-6 record indicates, but it has had issues with consistency and showing up for poor teams. Its loss to Orlando indicated just that, but the team should come together better as the season wears on. Boston is a contender in the Eastern Conference.
TOR
Toronto is 12-3 and 7-2 at home this season. It has lost two straight games, and it has been getting bigger contributions from Pascal Siakem, who scored a career-high 23 points in the win over the Knicks last outing. Kawhi Leonard would be cited as the primary difference maker, but the Raptors have been getting contributions all across the board from its deep roster.
?
Veteran forward Serge Ibaka seems to have found the fountain of youth, and he is having one of his best seasons in several years. Kyle Lowry, despite missing his friend DeMar DeRozan, is averaging 17 points and 11 assists, while posting a PER of 23.7. In fact, the Raptors top-four scorers all post PERs of 22 or better, with Jonas Valanciunas now in a new role leading the way at 28.1.
Leonard is an upgrade over DeRozan, but it has been a little surprising the chemistry in Toronto has been this good. Along with DeRozan, the Raptors have been making good use of fellow former Spur Danny Green, who is averaging 10 points and four rebounds per game.
Siakem has the look at times of a future star. In 27.9 minutes per game, he is averaging 13.3 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.15 steals per game, displaying enough strength on both ends of the court, often matching up against the best offensive player on the opposition. The Raptors have the pieces intact to make a serious run, and will they finally overcome their playoff wise with LeBron James out of the conference finally?
