The Boston Celtics can move on to the Eastern Conference Finals with a win over the Toronto Raptors in Game 6 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series on Wednesday night. Boston took a 3-2 series lead with a convincing victory in Game 5.
Toronto is the defending NBA champion, and the title is still theirs until someone can knock them off. Boston is an up and coming team, but they appear to have what it takes to compete for the NBA Championship this season.
Boston is a 3.0-point favorite over the Toronto Raptors in this Game 6 matchup.
Celtics Have Some Offensive Weapons
The Boston Celtics have not been getting a ton of production from their bench in the playoffs, but it has not slowed them down. Boston got just 15 points from their reserves on Monday night, and Brad Wannamaker had all of those points.
Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum have been the two biggest stars for Boston in this series, and that duo combined for 45 points in the Game 5 victory. Brown and Tatum are able to score in a variety of ways, but they have done a great job of scoring at the rim against the Raptors.
Defense has also been sharp for the Celtics in this series, and they were able to hold the Raptors to just 89 points in Game 5. Boston has plenty of length on the perimeter, and it has affected the shooting of the Raptors.
Siakam Struggling For Raptors
The Toronto Raptors have adjusted well to life after Kawhi Leonard, but things have been more difficult since the playoffs have started. Pascal Siakam has emerged as a top player in the NBA, but he has struggled against the Boston Celtics.
Siakam took just nine field-goal attempts in the Game 5 loss and finished with only 10 points. If the Raptors are going to keep their season alive, then they will need their superstar to have a big game in this one.
Three-point shooting has also been a struggle for Toronto through the first five games, and the team shot just 30 percent from deep in Game 5. Fred Van Vleet and Kyle Lowry combined to go just 3-10 from long range, which is another area that has to change.
Toronto will look to their defense to keep them in this game, but that is easier said than done against the Celtics. The Raptors will have to turn things around in a hurry to win this game.
Boston Eliminates Raptors
The Toronto Raptors had a much better season than most anticipated, but it will come to an end in this game. Boston is simply playing too good at this time, and they have been scoring the ball well in this series.
Toronto does not have the offense to keep up, and their poor shooting will be the reason that their season ends in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Boston will advance to take on the Miami Heat.
Bet the Boston Celtics -3.0 over the Toronto Raptors in Game 6.
