The Raptors are coming off a 109-99 win against the Magic on Wednesday. It was the club’s fourth straight ATS cover and it’s seventh straight outright victory dating back to the start of March.
NBA bettors are treated to a potential second round playoff preview when the Boston Celtics take on the Toronto Raptors in Friday’s marquee matchup. The defending champions put their perfect restart record on the line against a C’s side coming off a 34-point victory on Wednesday.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Boston backers have seen their bankrolls bust in the NBA’s bubble. The Celtics blowout win against the Brooklyn Nets was their first ATS win since the restart.
The club lost 119-112 to the Milwaukee Bucks as 3.5-point underdogs in their first game, and followed it up with a push as 4-point chalk against the Blazers, and an outright loss to the Miami Heat despite coming into the game as a 5-point favourite.
The Celtics defence seems to have taken the biggest hit. They own a top 5 defence for the season (106.7 points allowed per 100 possessions), but they’re in the bottom third of the league since the restart (114.9 points per 100). Predictably, the Over is 3-1 in the C’s four games in the bubble.
Toronto is coming off a 109-99 win against the Magic on Wednesday. It was the club’s fourth straight ATS cover and it’s seventh straight outright victory dating back to the start of March.
The Raptors’ defence isn’t suffering in the new surroundings. The squad is allowing just 98 points per game in its first three contests back from hiatus. The Under is 3-0 in those three games.
The Dinos are looking to even the season series against their Atlantic Division rivals. The Green Guys won at home against the champs back in October, and they spoiled Christmas Day for the Canadian hoops fans by downing the Raptors 118-102. Toronto beat Boston three days later and covered the spread as a 7-point away underdog.
Boston Celtics
Even after a four-month layoff, the Celtics can’t seem to get healthy. Gordon Hayward missed time with a broken hand early in the season and then Kemba Walker ran into a knee issue after the New Year.
That knee problem is still slowing up the 30-year-old point guard. Walker sat out against the Nets, but is probable to play on Friday against Toronto. He hasn’t played in more than 26 minutes in any of Boston’s four games.
Toronto Raptors
Heading into the restart, the prevailing thought among NBA experts was there are three teams most likely to win the 2020 title: The Lakers, Clippers or Bucks. But after the first few games and some less than impressive showings from the trio of favourites, the Raptors are catching some sleeper buzz.
Could the Raptors be on pace to win a second straight championship? Not saying, just saying.
Who Will Win Celtics vs. Raptors?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 7 Aug 3:52am | BOS | -3 -110 | O +218.5 -110 |
| Closing 7 Aug 10:37pm | BOS | -2 -110 | O +221.5 -110 |
Injuries
Romeo Langford (SG)
Jaylen Brown (SG)
Vincent Poirier (C)
Robert Williams III (C)
Tremont Waters (PG)
Javonte Green (SG)
Jaylen Brown (SG)
Gordon Hayward (SF)
Vincent Poirier (C)
Romeo Langford (SG)
Serge Ibaka (PF)
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (SF)
Fred VanVleet (PG)
OG Anunoby (SF)
Serge Ibaka (PF)
Fred VanVleet (PG)
Paul Watson (SG)
Serge Ibaka (PF)
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (SF)
Oshae Brissett (PF)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Romeo Langford (SG) | out for season | Wrist - 17 / 09 / 20 | 2-3 | 4-1 | + - |
|
Langford will miss the remainder of the season after having surgery to fix the scapholunate ligament in his right wrist. |
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| Jaylen Brown (SG) | Prob Tues | Groin - 12 / 09 / 20 | 3-4 | 5-2 | + - |
|
Brown is hampered by a groin injury, but he is expected to be active for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference final versus the Heat. |
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| Vincent Poirier (C) | Prob Tues | Personal - 03 / 09 / 20 | 6-5 | 5-6 | + - |
|
Poirier is away from the team for the birth of his child. He is likely to return against the Heat in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference second round. |
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| Robert Williams III (C) | Prob Thurs | Tailbone - 03 / 09 / 20 | 6-5 | 5-6 | + - |
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Williams III is anticipated to take on the Raptors in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference second round despite injuring his tailbone. |
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| Tremont Waters (PG) | Prob Mon | Knee - 26 / 08 / 20 | 7-6 | 5-8 | + - |
|
Waters has a left knee sprain, but he is likely to play in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference second round versus the Raptors. |
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| Javonte Green (SG) | Prob Sun | Knee - 20 / 08 / 20 | 9-6 | 6-9 | + - |
|
Green is recuperating from surgery to fix a small tear to the meniscus in his right knee, but he is likely to be ready for Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals versus the Heat. |
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| Jaylen Brown (SG) | Prob Wed | Thigh - 18 / 08 / 20 | 10-6 | 6-10 | + - |
|
Brown is expected to suit up against the 76ers in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round despite a right thigh contusion. |
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| Gordon Hayward (SF) | Ques Sat | Ankle - 17 / 08 / 20 | 10-7 | 6-11 | + - |
|
Hayward is sidelined with a Grade 3 right ankle sprain, and it is unclear if he will return to action against the Heat in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals. |
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| Vincent Poirier (C) | Prob Wed | Groin - 16 / 08 / 20 | 10-7 | 6-11 | + - |
|
Porier is battling a left groin strain, but he is likely to play in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the 76ers. |
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| Romeo Langford (SG) | Prob Mon | Wrist - 13 / 08 / 20 | 11-7 | 6-12 | + - |
|
Langford is dealing with a sprained right wrist, but it is anticipated that he will take the court in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the 76ers. |
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| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Serge Ibaka (PF) | Prob Wed | Ankle - 07 / 09 / 20 | 2-1 | 1-2 | + - |
|
Ibaka is dealing with a left ankle sprain, but he is expected to play against the Celtics in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference second round. |
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| Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (SF) | Prob Sun | Knee - 21 / 08 / 20 | 4-5 | 2-7 | + - |
|
Hollis-Jefferson is bothered by swelling in his left knee, but he is likely to be active for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Nets. |
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| Fred VanVleet (PG) | Out Fri | Rest - 14 / 08 / 20 | 6-6 | 5-7 | + - |
|
VanVleet will receive a day of rest and will not be available against the Nuggets on Friday. |
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| OG Anunoby (SF) | Prob Mon | Knee - 12 / 08 / 20 | 7-6 | 5-8 | + - |
|
Anunoby is dealing with with soreness in his right knee, but he is likely to be active for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Nets. |
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| Serge Ibaka (PF) | Prob Mon | Knee - 10 / 08 / 20 | 8-6 | 5-9 | + - |
|
Ibaka is bothered by a right knee contusion, but he is expected to play against the Nets in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
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| Fred VanVleet (PG) | Prob Wed | Knee - 10 / 08 / 20 | 8-6 | 5-9 | + - |
|
VanVleet missed the last game due to a hyperextended right knee, but he is likely to be available for Wednesday's contest against the 76ers. |
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| Paul Watson (SG) | Doub Sun | Back - 09 / 08 / 20 | 8-7 | 5-10 | + - |
|
Watson is dealing with soreness in his lower back, and he is not expected to be in the lineup Sunday against the Grizzlies. |
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| Serge Ibaka (PF) | Prob Sun | Eye - 08 / 08 / 20 | 9-7 | 5-11 | + - |
|
Ibaka was forced from the previous game due to an eye laceration, but he is likely to be active Sunday versus the Grizzlies. |
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| Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (SF) | day-to-day | Ankle - 01 / 08 / 20 | 11-7 | 5-13 | + - |
|
Hollis-Jefferson exited Saturday's game with an ankle injury, and his return is in question. |
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| Oshae Brissett (PF) | Out indefinitely | Knee - 31 / 07 / 20 | 11-7 | 5-13 | + - |
|
Brissett is expected to be sideline for an extended period due to right knee surgery in order to remove loose bodies. |
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Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 7 Aug 3:52am BOS -3 -110 O +218.5 -110 Closing 7 Aug 10:37pm BOS -2 -110 O +221.5 -110 -
Injuries
Romeo Langford (SG)
out for season Wrist - 17 / 09 / 20Jaylen Brown (SG)
Prob Tues Groin - 12 / 09 / 20Vincent Poirier (C)
Prob Tues Personal - 03 / 09 / 20Robert Williams III (C)
Prob Thurs Tailbone - 03 / 09 / 20Tremont Waters (PG)
Prob Mon Knee - 26 / 08 / 20Javonte Green (SG)
Prob Sun Knee - 20 / 08 / 20Jaylen Brown (SG)
Prob Wed Thigh - 18 / 08 / 20Gordon Hayward (SF)
Ques Sat Ankle - 17 / 08 / 20Vincent Poirier (C)
Prob Wed Groin - 16 / 08 / 20Romeo Langford (SG)
Prob Mon Wrist - 13 / 08 / 20Serge Ibaka (PF)
Prob Wed Ankle - 07 / 09 / 20Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (SF)
Prob Sun Knee - 21 / 08 / 20Fred VanVleet (PG)
Out Fri Rest - 14 / 08 / 20OG Anunoby (SF)
Prob Mon Knee - 12 / 08 / 20Serge Ibaka (PF)
Prob Mon Knee - 10 / 08 / 20Fred VanVleet (PG)
Prob Wed Knee - 10 / 08 / 20Paul Watson (SG)
Doub Sun Back - 09 / 08 / 20Serge Ibaka (PF)
Prob Sun Eye - 08 / 08 / 20Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (SF)
day-to-day Ankle - 01 / 08 / 20Oshae Brissett (PF)
Out indefinitely Knee - 31 / 07 / 20Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Romeo Langford (SG) out for season Wrist - 17 / 09 / 20 2-3 4-1 + - Langford will miss the remainder of the season after having surgery to fix the scapholunate ligament in his right wrist.
Jaylen Brown (SG) Prob Tues Groin - 12 / 09 / 20 3-4 5-2 + - Brown is hampered by a groin injury, but he is expected to be active for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference final versus the Heat.
Vincent Poirier (C) Prob Tues Personal - 03 / 09 / 20 6-5 5-6 + - Poirier is away from the team for the birth of his child. He is likely to return against the Heat in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference second round.
Robert Williams III (C) Prob Thurs Tailbone - 03 / 09 / 20 6-5 5-6 + - Williams III is anticipated to take on the Raptors in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference second round despite injuring his tailbone.
Tremont Waters (PG) Prob Mon Knee - 26 / 08 / 20 7-6 5-8 + - Waters has a left knee sprain, but he is likely to play in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference second round versus the Raptors.
Javonte Green (SG) Prob Sun Knee - 20 / 08 / 20 9-6 6-9 + - Green is recuperating from surgery to fix a small tear to the meniscus in his right knee, but he is likely to be ready for Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals versus the Heat.
Jaylen Brown (SG) Prob Wed Thigh - 18 / 08 / 20 10-6 6-10 + - Brown is expected to suit up against the 76ers in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round despite a right thigh contusion.
Gordon Hayward (SF) Ques Sat Ankle - 17 / 08 / 20 10-7 6-11 + - Hayward is sidelined with a Grade 3 right ankle sprain, and it is unclear if he will return to action against the Heat in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals.
Vincent Poirier (C) Prob Wed Groin - 16 / 08 / 20 10-7 6-11 + - Porier is battling a left groin strain, but he is likely to play in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the 76ers.
Romeo Langford (SG) Prob Mon Wrist - 13 / 08 / 20 11-7 6-12 + - Langford is dealing with a sprained right wrist, but it is anticipated that he will take the court in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the 76ers.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Serge Ibaka (PF) Prob Wed Ankle - 07 / 09 / 20 2-1 1-2 + - Ibaka is dealing with a left ankle sprain, but he is expected to play against the Celtics in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference second round.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (SF) Prob Sun Knee - 21 / 08 / 20 4-5 2-7 + - Hollis-Jefferson is bothered by swelling in his left knee, but he is likely to be active for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Nets.
Fred VanVleet (PG) Out Fri Rest - 14 / 08 / 20 6-6 5-7 + - VanVleet will receive a day of rest and will not be available against the Nuggets on Friday.
OG Anunoby (SF) Prob Mon Knee - 12 / 08 / 20 7-6 5-8 + - Anunoby is dealing with with soreness in his right knee, but he is likely to be active for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Nets.
Serge Ibaka (PF) Prob Mon Knee - 10 / 08 / 20 8-6 5-9 + - Ibaka is bothered by a right knee contusion, but he is expected to play against the Nets in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Fred VanVleet (PG) Prob Wed Knee - 10 / 08 / 20 8-6 5-9 + - VanVleet missed the last game due to a hyperextended right knee, but he is likely to be available for Wednesday's contest against the 76ers.
Paul Watson (SG) Doub Sun Back - 09 / 08 / 20 8-7 5-10 + - Watson is dealing with soreness in his lower back, and he is not expected to be in the lineup Sunday against the Grizzlies.
Serge Ibaka (PF) Prob Sun Eye - 08 / 08 / 20 9-7 5-11 + - Ibaka was forced from the previous game due to an eye laceration, but he is likely to be active Sunday versus the Grizzlies.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (SF) day-to-day Ankle - 01 / 08 / 20 11-7 5-13 + - Hollis-Jefferson exited Saturday's game with an ankle injury, and his return is in question.
Oshae Brissett (PF) Out indefinitely Knee - 31 / 07 / 20 11-7 5-13 + - Brissett is expected to be sideline for an extended period due to right knee surgery in order to remove loose bodies.