Just days ago, the Raptors were staring at a very possible 0-3 series deficit. Now, they have successfully evened up the series at 2-2 after beating the Boston Celtics last Saturday. Which team will take that crucial 3-2 series lead on Monday? Check out our preview of Game 5 below.
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Betting Preview for the Boston Celtics vs Toronto Raptors NBA Playoffs Round 2 Game 5 on September 7, 2020
Where: Walt Disney World, Orlando
When: Monday, September 7, 2020, 1:00 PM ET
Line: Boston Celtics (-1) vs. Toronto Raptors (+1) – view all 2020 NBA lines
TV Broadcast: TNT
Betting on the Boston Celtics (-1)
Regular Season Record: 48-24
It’s now the Celtics’ turn to experience a shooting slump from deep. In their 100-93 loss in Game 4 to Toronto, the Celtics went just 7 for 35 from behind the arc for an atrocious 20 percent accuracy. Back in Game 3, the Celtics shot 31 percent from long range, sinking just nine of 29 3-point attempts. Nevertheless, Jayson Tatum had a much better shooting performance in Game 4 than in Game 3, as he finished with 24 points (10-20 FG) while also grabbing 10 rebounds in 43 minutes of action. Kemba Walker had 15 points, while Jaylen Brown chipped in 14 points. Brown couldn’t get his offense going in Game 3, making just 4 of 18 shots from the floor. His offensive struggle in that game is something Boston is hoping to be just a one-time thing. Brown is shooting 48.1 percent from the field so far in the series. The Celtics outscored Toronto in the paint by 18 points (44-26), showing that they are still taking advantage of a faulty first-level of defense by Toronto’s guards and wings.
The Celtics are 3-1 against the spread, so far in this series.
Betting on the Toronto Raptors (+1)
Regular Season Record: 53-19
Toronto’s comeback is for real, and Pascal Siakam is finally playing like himself again. In arguably his first good game of the series, Siakam scored 23 points and pulled down 11 rebounds in Game 4. It was the first time he shot better than 43 percent since Game 3 of the Brooklyn Nets series in the previous round. The Raptors are hoping Siakam can sustain that form, as they look to grab the series lead on Monday. Although Toronto shot just 39.5 percent from the field in Game 4, the team’s outside shooting clicked. The Raptors went 17 for 44 from behind the arc for 38.6 percent accuracy — their best since the start of the second round. Toronto’s gaining confidence in their outside shot is bad news for Boston, as the Raptors were among the best 3-point shooting team back in the regular season.
The under is 3-0 in the Raptors’ last three games as the home team.
Writer’s Prediction
The Raptors win, 106-104.
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