Toronto Raptors (0-1) vs. Boston Celtics (0-1)
October 22, 2021 7:30 pm EDT
The Line: Boston Celtics -6.5; Over/Under: +219
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The Toronto Raptors and Boston Celtics meet Friday in NBA action at the TD Garden. The Toronto Raptors need a win after losing their opener to the Wizards. The Boston Celtics also need a win after a double-overtime loss to the Knicks.
The Toronto Raptors are averaging 83 points on 30.9 percent shooting and allowing 98 points on 44.4 percent shooting. Fred VanVleet is averaging 12 points and four assists, while Scottie Barnes is averaging 12 points and nine rebounds. OG Anunoby is the third double-digit scorer and Goran Dragic is grabbing three rebounds. The Toronto Raptors are shooting 20.6 percent from beyond the arc and 72.7 percent from the free throw line. The Toronto Raptors are allowing 18.5 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 54 rebounds per game.
The Boston Celtics are averaging 134 points on 41 percent shooting and allowing 138 points on 48.6 percent shooting. Jaylen Brown is averaging 46 points and nine rebounds, while Jayson Tatum is averaging 20 points and four assists. Robert Williams III is the third double-digit scorer and Marcus Smart is grabbing eight rebounds. The Boston Celtics are shooting 36.8 percent from beyond the arc and 73.9 percent from the free throw line. The Boston Celtics are allowing 37.8 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 56 rebounds per game.
The Raptors are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 road games and 1-5-1 ATS in their last 7 games overall. The Celtics are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 home games and 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games overall. The over is 4-1 in Celtics last 5 overall. The Raptors are 3-8 ATS in the last 11 meetings.
The Toronto Raptors have nowhere to go but up, as they were downright dreadful in their season opener, mainly on the offensive side, where they shot just 30.9 percent from the field. The Boston Celtics will be motivated for a bounce back showing after losing their opener in heartbreaking fashion after two overtime periods. I need to see progress from the Raptors before backing them. Give me the Celtics and somewhat reasonable chalk.
