Boston vs. Toronto is the primetime bubble matchup for Friday night. This will most likely be a preview of a second-round matchup come playoff time.
The Celtics have a little more at stake as they are battling for the all-important three seed in the East. The Raptors are pretty much guaranteed a two seed but will guarantee it with a win tonight.
Boston May Have to Do It Without Walker
Kemba Walker sat out Wednesday night in Boston’s dismantling of the Nets. He was resting his left knee while his teammates defeated Brooklyn 149-115.
Three-point shooting was the key as the Celtics went 20-39 from behind the arc. Jaylen Brown led the balanced attack with 21 points, while six of his teammates joined him in double digits.
Motivation should be at an all-time high as Boston is in the driver’s seat for the three-seed. They sit 2.5 games ahead of Miami in the race to avoid playing Milwaukee in the second round. Boston is 2-2 since the restart but has won two of the last three after dropping the opener to the Bucks.
Raptors Peaking at the Right Time
The defending NBA champs may no longer have Kawhi Leonard, but they have arguably the best coach in the NBA. Nick Nurse has this team gelling at the right time, and they might be playing the best basketball in the bubble.
They have the longest win streak in the NBA, seven games, and will be looking to make it four in a row in Orlando. Toronto’s defense has been suffocating as they have held two of their three opponents under 100 points.
The Raptors are coming off a 109-99 victory over the Magic. Fred VanVleet had a double-double as he produced 21 points and ten assists. Kyle Lowry narrowly missed a triple-double as he had a line of eight points, nine rebounds, and ten assists. Toronto did let off the gas a little in the second half as Orlando cut into a 20-point half time lead.
Celtics Versus Raptors Betting Lines
Toronto is listed as a 3-point favorite. The total is set at 218.5. Toronto is -145 on the moneyline, and Boston sits at +125.
Free Betting Pick
Toronto is playing so well that I find it hard to bet against them. Even with underdogs dominating the bubble, this Raptors team looks like they might end up as the favorite to get back to the NBA finals.
The last time these two teams met Toronto’s defense limited the Celtics to only 97 points in a 113-97 win. Boston did win the other two earlier season matchups, but this Raptors team is playing much better of late. Lowry seems as engaged as ever and was exceptional against Orlando. I like Toronto to cover with an eye on playing the under as well, especially if I can get the number to move to 219.
Betting Pick: Toronto -3
