The Atlantic Division’s top two teams will collide when the Boston Celtics (38-42) welcome the Toronto Raptors (48-32) to TD Garden. Action begins at 7:30 pm ET on Tuesday, Apr. 14 and can be seen on TSN and CSN-NE.
The Celtics played well in their last game, dismantling the Cavaliers 117-78 on Sunday. Evan Turner was a key piece with 15 points, seven rebounds, and five assists. The Raptors, meanwhile, are coming off a 107-104 win against the Heat on Saturday. Lou Williams led the team in scoring by registering 29 points on 9-for-18 shooting.
Over the last five games, Isaiah Thomas has taken his game to another level for the Celtics, averaging 23.2 points, 2.2 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 2.6 three-pointers. DeMar DeRozan has upped his play for the Raptors. In the same five-game span, he is averaging 27.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.6 blocks, and 0.8 three-pointers.
The Raptors lead the season series against the Celtics two games to one, but fell short the last time these two teams met, 117-116. DeRozan was the top overall scorer in the game with 38 points.
The odds for Boston and Toronto are even, while the Over/Under (O/U) is currently not available. The Celtics come into this game 38-42 Straight Up (SU) and 47-33 Against The Spread (ATS). They are 11-4 SU and 10-5 ATS against divisional opponents. Boston is one of the best passing teams in the league with an average of 24.4 assists per game.
Over on the other bench, the Raptors have a record of 37-42-1 ATS and 48-32 SU. Despite having a winning record against its own division, Toronto is unsuccessful ATS in those games with a record of 6-9. Offensively, they average 104.3 points per game, which is good for fourth in the league. The Raptors get to the line and convert their free throws at a high volume, ranking fourth in the league with 1,567 made (19.6 per game).
In their previous meeting this season, Boston beat Toronto, but the win was not enough for them to overtake Toronto in the recent head-to-head series. Its record is now 4-6 SU over the most recent 10 meetings. With a 6-4 record, the Celtics have the advantage ATS. In these last 10 matchups, Toronto held the edge in field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers four times, with Boston controlling all three of these areas one time.
Predictions: SU Winner – TOR, ATS Winner – TOR
Notes
Boston puts up an average of 101.4 points per game (ranked 12th). Toronto ranks 21st in points allowed per game with 101.2.
Toronto ranks third in points allowed per road game (103.7 PPG), while Boston ranks 15th in points per home game with 101.6.
The Boston Celtics won their last game by 39 points. In games decided by a margin of 18 points or more, the Toronto Raptors are 8-4. Boston is 6-3 in blowouts this season.
When allowing fewer than 100 points, the Celtics are 29-6 on the season. When the Raptors score fewer than 100, they are a poor 10-17.
The Boston Celtics have an underachieving 9-36 record in games where they have allowed at least 100 points. The Toronto Raptors are 38-15 when they hit triple digits.
The Raptors have a defensive rating of 104.8 (ranked 25th). The Celtics rank 18th for their offensive rating of 101.8.
Boston averages 99.6 possessions per game, scoring 1.018 points on each possession. While Toronto averages fewer possessions per game with 96.5, the team scores more points per possession with 1.081.
Toronto has an average effective field goal percentage of 50.8% (ranked eighth in the league}. Boston is a subpar 8-28 when opponents have a similar or higher effective field goal percentage.
Boston attempts an average of 24.6 three pointers per game, and Toronto attempts 25.0 per game. In games where the teams have 25 or more three point attempts, the Celtics are even at 18-18 while the Raptors have a 27-19 record.
The Boston Celtics are among the best in the league with an assist to turnover ratio of 1.84 (ranked fourth). Ranking ninth, the Toronto Raptors have an A/TO of 1.71.
Toronto ranks 26th in rebounds per game with 41.6, while Boston ranks 12th with 43.8.
The Toronto Raptors rank 15th in offensive rebounding, while the Boston Celtics rank 11th in defensive rebounding.
Boston averages a forced turnover rate of 14.6% this season. Toronto has a 12-15 record when they suffer a turnover rate equal to or exceeding this.
