NBA Rematch Raptors at Celtics
The Boston Celtics (30-9 SU, 20-19 ATS, 16-22-1 O/U) snapped their four-game losing streak in the BetUS Sportsbook on Sunday, beating Atlantic division rival Toronto (16-22 SU, 15-22-1 ATS, 21-17 O/U) to cover the spread for the first time in their last five contests. Tonight, the Eastern Conference foes will complete a home-and-home series with the Celtics hosting Toronto at TD Banknorth Garden.
The Celtics beat the Raptors 94-88 to cover the spread as a 5.5-point road favorite behind a season-high 36 points from shooting guard Ray Allen who shot a blistering 8-for-10 from long distance. Point guard Rajon Rondo added 14 points and 11 assists in the win while Toronto was led by forward Andrea Bargnani who scored 17 points and grabbed nine rebounds while team leader Chris Bosh added 15 points and 11 rebounds.
Despite the victory, Boston nearly lost a 20-point lead heading into the fourth quarter, allowing the Raptors to pull within five points with just 1:36 remaining before finishing off their counterparts.
“There’s no relief,” said Celtics head coach Doc Rivers. “We could have played better and we know that. There was more good than bad by far but we want more good all the time.”
The Raptors will be without point guard Jose Calderon (strained right hamstring) and forward Jermaine O’Neal (sore right knee) who both did not make the trip to Boston.
O’Neal will miss his eighth straight game while Calderon played for the first time in four games on Sunday.
“It was a little bit sore after the game,” Calderon said of his hamstring. “I’m going to stay here and get treatment. It felt pretty good when I was on the court, so we’ll keep working on it.”
The Celtics have injury issues of their own as starting small forward Paul Pierce may be out of the lineup after injuring his right knee during a first-quarter collision with teammate Brian Scalabrine.
“We’ll see how it feels after the plane ride and some rest and treatment,” said Pierce. “Hopefully it will get better overnight.”
Starting center Kendrick Perkins also sat out Sunday with a strained left shoulder, but could return tonight.
The Celtics have won seven of the past eight games with Toronto and all three this season.
Here is a look at tonight’s key trends, followed by my in-depth analysis and NBA Free Pick.
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Toronto’s last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Toronto’s last 7 games when playing on the road against Boston
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Toronto’s last 10 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Toronto’s last 10 games when playing Boston
Boston is 13-1 SU in its last 14 games at home
Boston is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing Toronto
Boston is 10-2 SU in its last 12 games when playing at home against Toronto
Boston is 9-2 ATS in its last 11 games at home
NBA Odds
Boston Celtics -10 -110
Toronto Raptors +10 -110
Over 186½ -110
Under 186½ -110
Analysis: I know the Celtics just beat the Raptors and have pretty much owned them recently, but I’ just not sure the C’s are playing well enough to beat an underachieving Raptors team even at home. It’s going to be close NBA sports betting fanatics, but I say the Raptors cover the spread by the slimmest of margins.
