Atlantic Division rivals Boston Celtics and Toronto Raptors will be locking horns this Monday night at Scotiabank Arena. Will the Celtics get Toronto another L? Or will the Raptors trip Boston up? Check out our preview below of this Celtics-Raptors game.
There’s no doubt that the Celtics are among the hottest – if not the hottest – teams right now in the NBA. It seems as though the Celtics have all of a sudden found the right formula to make the roster work after being so shaky earlier in the season. Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum have been on fire, as they are doing a fantastic job of carrying the Celtics. That being said, the Celtics have not been so dependent on the pair when playing the Raptors this season. In fact, the Celtics have seven players averaging double figures in games against Toronto this season. The Celtics are 2-1 straight up in three games against Toronto in this campaign, losing the first one before winning the next two by wide margins. Boston’s success can also be attributed to its defense that is allowing the fewest points per game this season.
The Celtics are 5-2 against the spread in their last seven games against Toronto.
The Raptors are building another win streak. After a loss to the Chicago Bulls last week, Toronto has scored back-to-back wins over the Cleveland Cavaliers (117-104) and the Indiana Pacers (131-91), both at home. Scoring has really picked up for the Raptors, who are only averaging 109.1 points per game this season but have produced a total of 248 points in their last two outings. Pascal Siakam, Chris Boucher, OG Anunoby, and Scottie Barnes have been on a groove of late, and they could find their rhythm again against the Celtics. While Boston has been terrific defensively, the Celtics are coming into this game perhaps a little fatigued as they have just played the Minnesota Timberwolves a night before at home before traveling north of the border.
The Raptors, who are ninth in the NBA with just 107.1 points allowed per game, are 2-0 against the spread in their last two outings as the home team.
