The Toronto Raptors begin their 3 game road trip tonight as they are in Boston to face the Celtics.
(48-21) Toronto Raptors @ (41-30) Boston Celtics
Probable starting line-ups:
Toronto – PG – Kyle Lowry SG – DeMar DeRozan C – Bismack Biyombo SF – Norman Powell PF – Luis Scola
Boston – PG – Isaiah Thomas SG – Avery Bradley C – Jared Sullinger SF – Evan Turner PF – Amir Johnson
Stats Leaders:
Toronto – PPG – DeMar DeRozan 23.8 RPG – Jonas Valanciunas 9.0 APG – Kyle Lowry 6.4
Boston – PPG – Isaiah Thomas 22.1 RPG – Jared Sullinger 8.6 APG – Isaiah Thomas 6.5
Team Scoring: (with league ranking in parentheses)
Toronto – PF – 103.0 (12th) PA – 98.3 (5th)
Boston – PF – 106.0 (5th) PA – 102.3 (13th)
Overview:
The Toronto Raptors have won 4 in a row and 7 of their last 8 games after a 105-100 victory at home versus the Orlando Magic on Sunday. Starting shooting guard DeMar DeRozan led the team in scoring with 25 points. He also had 5 assists. He shot 6 of 16 from the field and 13 of 16 from the free throw line. Starting power forward Luis Scola tallied 20 points and 8 rebounds. He was 8 of 15 from the field, 1 of 4 from the free throw line, and 3 of 6 from the 3 point line. Starting point guard Kyle Lowry netted 18 points. He also had 7 assists, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals. He was 5 of 15 from the field, 7 of 10 from the free throw line, and 1 of 4 from the 3 point line. Backup small forward Terrence Ross came off the bench to score 13 points. He also had 3 rebounds. He was 5 of 10 from the field, 2 of 2 from the free throw line, and 1 of 4 from the 3 point line. Starting center Bismack Biyombo contributed with a double-double as he scored 12 points and pulled down 11 rebounds. He also had 6 blocks. He shot 5 of 7 from the field and 2 of 6 from the free throw line. The team shot 43.2% from the field, 64.4% from the free throw line, and 30% from the 3 point line. They attempted 45 free throws but only made 29 of them. They missed 14 of 20 shots from beyond the arc. They out-rebounded their opponent 62-49. They had 8 steals in the game. They only turned the ball over 10 times. They scored 13 fast break points and 46 points in the paint. They trailed by 2 points after 3 quarters but outscored the Magic 25-18 in the final period. Tonight is their 34th road game of the season. They are 20-13 on the road thus far. Tonight is the first game of a 3 game road trip. Their next game is Friday at the Houston Rockets.
The Boston Celtics have won 2 straight after a 107-96 victory at home versus the Orlando Magic on Monday. Starting point guard Isaiah Thomas led the way with 28 points, 7 assists, and 5 rebounds. He shot 9 of 18 from the field and 10 of 12 from the free throw line. Starting shooting guard Avery Bradley produced 22 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists. He was 9 of 15 from the field, 3 of 4 from the free throw line, and 1 of 4 from the 3 point line. Backup center Kelly Olynyk came off the bench to chip in with 22 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals. He was 7 of 12 from the field, 4 of 4 from the free throw line, and 4 of 6 from the 3 point line. Starting small forward Evan Turner contributed with 16 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists. He shot 7 of 11 from the field and 2 of 2 from the 3 point line. The team shot 47.1% from the field, 83.3% from the free throw line, and 31.8% from the 3 point line. They made 20 of their 24 attempted free throws. They missed 15 of their 22 shots beyond the arc. They out-rebounded their opposition 57-52. They had 22 assists in the game. They turned the ball over 14 times. They scored 29 fast break points and 54 points in the paint. Their best quarter was the 3rd as they outscored the Magic 35-29. Tonight is their 37th home game of the season. They are 24-12 at home thus far. After tonight they go on the road for a 5 game Western Conference road trip. Their next game is Saturday at the Phoenix Suns.
Toronto was victorious in their first 3 meetings with Boston this season. Tonight is the final meeting of the season between the Raptors and Celtics.
Prediction:
The Raptors are 11-1 versus their own division this season. They currently are in the 2nd spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs race, 1.5 games behind the Cavaliers. The Celtics are in the 5th spot in the Eastern Conference, tied with the Hawks for 4th seed and only a half game behind the Heat for the 3rd spot. I like the Celtics at home tonight against what could be an under-manned Raptors squad.
Take the Celtics -2 (1.90) (Bet365)
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